value chain analysis bengal gram · chapter 6-processing infrastructure availability and...
TRANSCRIPT
RAJASTHAN AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT
Value Chain Analysis
Bengal Gram
Prepared by:
AGRI BUSINESS PROMOTION FACILITY
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram i
Member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd Offices in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Noida and Pune
Contents
List of Tables iii
List of Figures iv
Executive Summary: Bengal Gram 1
Chapter 1: Introduction 7
1.1. Global Scenario 8
1.2. Indian Scenario 9
1.3. State scenario 13
1.4. Approach to Value Chain Analysis 16
Chapter 2: Pre Harvest Management 17
2.1. Major Commercial Varieties Grown in Rajasthan 17
2.2. New Initiatives and Practices 17
2.3. Seasonality Pattern 18
2.4. Land Preparation 18
2.5. Sowing/Planting/Cultivation 19
2.6. Climatic and Soil Requirement 19
2.7. Nutrients Management 19
2.8. Water Management 19
2.9. Weed Management 20
2.10. Pest & Disease Management 20
2.11. Recommended Good Agricultural Practices 20
2.12. Harvesting 23
2.13. Pre Harvest Constraints 23
Chapter 3: Post-Harvest Management 24
3.1. Post-Harvest Losses, Harvesting Care and Post-Harvest Equipment 24
3.2. Grade Specification& Grading at producer level 25
3.3. Major Storage Disease and Pest and their Control Measure 27
Chapter 4: Cost of production and Net value accruals to producers 30
Chapter 5: Supply Chain of Commodity 32
5.1. Seasonal Availability and Price Pattern 32
5.2. Existing Marketing Channels 36
5.3. Alternative Systems of Marketing 38
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Chapter 6-Processing Infrastructure availability and Utilization 43
6.1. Processing 43
6.2. Price build up & Marketing Efficiency Analysis 46
6.3. Stakeholder’s Share in Consumer Rupee 46
6.4. Consumer preference Analysis 47
In terms of FPC’s marketing operations, targeted market could involve a mix of dal millers and other processors, large retailers, Institutional Sales (through NAFED, SFAC, etc), Besan Millers, Feed millers, Poultry farms, and also retail consumers. 47
Chapter 7: Existing Institutional support and infrastructure facility 48
7.1. Support at cultivation stage 48
7.2. Support at post-harvest stage 53
Chapter 8: Gap & Constraint Analysis 56
8.1. As Perceived by Producers and Other Stakeholders 56
8.2. SWOT Analysis of the Pre-intervention Value Chain 58
8.3. Key constraints in Bengal Gram crop 59
8.4. PIESTEC Framework 61
Chapter 9: Proposed Interventions & Investments 64
9.1. Intervention areas for Value chain strengthening 64
9.3. Conclusion 77
References 80
Annexure 1: Stakeholders consulted over the study 81
Annexure 2: List of Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) Warehouses in Rajasthan 82
Annexure 3: List of State Warehousing Corporation (SWC) Warehouses in Rajasthan 86
Annexure 4: Product wise GST rates of Food Products 89
Annexure 5: PIESTEC Analysis of Bengal Gram 93
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List of Tables
Table 1: The Vernacular (name) prevailing in different states .................................................................... 8 Table 2: Nutritional value of edible portion per 100 g of Bengal gram ..................................................... 8 Table 3: Chickpea: Global ranking in area, production and yield: major countries (Yr 2013) ............... 9 Table 4: Top 10 Gram Producing States (As per 2013-14) ....................................................................... 10 Table 5: Mandi Arrivals of major Chickpea producing states ................................................................... 11 Table 6: Chickpea Area, Production and Yield of Rajasthan .................................................................... 13 Table 7: Trends in Area, Production and Yield of Chickpea in Rajasthan.............................................. 15 Table 8: Surveyed Major Stakeholders for Value chain Analysis .............................................................. 16 Table 9: Major commercial varieties grown ................................................................................................. 17 Table 10: Seasonal Availability Pattern of Bengal gram ............................................................................. 18 Table 11: Harvest and Post-harvest loss ....................................................................................................... 24 Table 12: Maximum limits of tolerance (per cent) ...................................................................................... 26 Table 13: Special characteristics ..................................................................................................................... 27 Table 14: Grading of Bengal gram at producers’ level ............................................................................... 27 Table 15: Major Pests, Diseases and their control measures in Bengal gram ......................................... 27 Table 16: Cost of Production ......................................................................................................................... 30 Table 17: Seasonal availability of Bengal gram ............................................................................................ 32 Table 18: Mandi Arrivals of Gram in some key mandis in Rajasthan (2016-2017) ............................... 32 Table 19: Price Movement in top 3 domestic markets ............................................................................... 35 Table 20: MSP of gram in last 5 years ........................................................................................................... 35 Table 21: Price and cost parameters implications of direct sale model ................................................... 39 Table 22: Terms and Conditions (also including other offered benefits) ................................................ 40 Table 23 Price spread table of Bengal gram ................................................................................................ 46 Table 24: Tax Structure ................................................................................................................................... 62 Table 25: Proposed intervention plan with stakeholders matrix for value chain of Bengal Gram ..... 65 Table 26: Post-harvest losses and interventions for Value chain of Bengal Gram ................................ 74 Table 27: List of CWC warehouses in Rajasthan ........................................................................................ 82 Table 28: List of SWC warehouses in Rajasthan ......................................................................................... 86
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List of Figures
Figure 1: Chickpea Global Scenario (2013) –Area and Production ........................................................... 9 Figure 2: State-wise share to Chickpea Production and Its sowing & harvesting period ..................... 11 Figure 3: India’s Chickpea Imports VS Total Pulses Imports ................................................................... 12 Figure 4: India’s Chickpea Exports VS Total Pulses Exports ................................................................... 13 Figure 5: Price Trend of Chickpeas ............................................................................................................... 35 Figure 6: Pre-intervention marketing channels of Bengal Gram .............................................................. 37 Figure 7: Process flow for Dal Preparation .................................................................................................. 43 Figure 8: Process flow for Besan Preparation .............................................................................................. 44 Figure 9: Process flow for feed preparation ................................................................................................. 45 Figure 10: Proposed Post intervention Value Chain map of Bengal gram ............................................. 73 Figure 11: FPC Development Approach ...................................................................................................... 75
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Executive Summary: Bengal Gram
Decorticated split cotyledon of whole seed of pulse is referred to as dal. A wide variety of processed pulses ranging from Green gram (moong), Bengal gram (gram), Red gram (tur) and Lentil (masoor dal) is consumed as dal in India. In addition, the by-product of seed coats, broken bits and powder from dal mills form a valuable source of protein for dairy animals.
Bengal gram is called Chickpea or Gram (Cicer aritinum L.) in South Asia and Garbanzo bean in most of the developed world. It is a major pulse crop in India, widely grown for centuries and accounts for nearly 40 percent of the total Pulse production. Bengal gram is also widely appreciated as health food and as a protein-rich supplement to cereal-based diets, especially to the poor in developing countries, where people are largely vegetarian or are not able to afford animal protein. The pulse proteins are rich in lysine and have low sulphur containing amino acids. Pulses like Bengal gram offer the most practical means of eradicating protein malnutrition among vegetarian children and nursing mothers. And hence, Bengal gram has a very important role in human diet in the country.
India is the world leader in chickpea (Bengal gram) production, and produces fifteen times as much as the second-largest producer, Australia. Although gram is produced in many states of the country, most of the production comes from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh (Telangana) and Maharashtra. These five states produce more than 90 percent of total production in India. India imported about 4 lakh MT of chickpea during 2014-15 due to higher demand. Production of chickpea pulse, however, fell in the year 2015-16 as compared to the previous season, owing to unfavourable weather conditions.
Chickpea is one of the most important pulse crop of India contributing about 30 % of total pulse acreage and about 40 % of total pulse production of the nation. It is mainly consumed as ‘Dal’ (split cotyledons) and chhole. Many attractive dishes viz – sweets, snacks and namkeen are also prepared from its flour called besan. Chickpea is also eaten as whole fried or boiled and salted. Fresh green leaves (sag) are used as vegetables and green grains as hare chhole or chholia. Straw of gram is an excellent fodder while both husk and broken of ‘Dal’ are valuable cattle feed. Leaves consist of mallic and citric acid and are very useful for stomach ailments and blood purifier.
Rajasthan is next to Madhya Pradesh in production of Bengal gram (19.46% of India). In Rajasthan Jaipur, Dausa, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Alwar, Kota & Tonk, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, and Jhunjhunu are the main producing districts. There are 2 varieties of Bengal gram grown in Rajasthan i.e. Early variety which is sown from the last week of October to last week of November and is harvested from 3rd week of March till last week of March and Late variety which is sown from last week of November to last week of December. Late variety is harvested from 3rd week of April to last week of April. Major trading centres of Gram in Rajasthan include Jaipur, Bikaner, Kota, Jodhpur, Sri Ganganagar, and Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. Major Varieties in Rajasthan are GNG-416, GNG-469, GNG-663, PBG-1, L-550, Pusa-256, RSG-44, Pusa-1053, PDG 84-1.
Pulses are usually consumed in their processed form and are used as dal in countries like India and Pakistan and as noodles in the East-Asian region. Pulses are 11-14 percent seed coat (husk), 2-5 percent germ, and the balance endosperm. In dal production, husk is removed and the bean is split. While the maximum theoretical recovery from milling pulses is around 78-82%, in practice
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traditional milling recovers only 65-75%. Nevertheless, modern milling methods and processing of appropriate grades could recover even 77-82%. This calls for upgrading of dal mill as well as cropping of right varieties by producers. Notably, the by-products of dal milling such as broken grains, germ and powder, and husk are fed to poultry and cattle fetch less than the dal price.
Some farmers in the key chickpea producing regions store around 40-60% of their produce
harvested for the period of 3 months to even 1 year in order to sell when prices are up-beat offered.
Timely harvesting is necessary to avoid losses. Notably, the crop becomes ready for harvest when
leaves begin to fall, stem and pod turn brown or straw in colour and seeds are hard and rattle (most
important) with 15% moisture inside them. Over ripening may lead to fall of pods as well as
shattering and seed cracking if seed moisture falls below 10% due to delay in harvesting. The crop is
allowed to dry for 2-4 days on threshing floor (depending on situation) and threshed by manually or
bullock/power drawn thresher followed by winnowing. The clean seed should be sun dried for 3-4
days to bring their moisture content at 9-10%. Now they should be safely stored in appropriate bins
and fumigated to protect them from bruchids. The seed "cures" in early storage, and aeration assists
this process. Therefore, aeration is strongly recommended even if the seed is harvested dry. Natural
air drying or aeration is beneficial for curing.
By adopting good management practices, an average yield of 15 q/ha can easily be obtained. However, in surveys it has been observed that the gross yield of gram in various clusters in Rajasthan is in range of 8-9 quintals per ha. The market rate of the seeds is about Rs. 50000 per ton or Rs. 50 per kg or Rs. 43,750 per ha. The cost of cultivation is about Rs. 25350 per ha. Net realization (from sales of grains) per ha is about Rs. 18,400 per ha. The wastage during the threshing and transport process is about 1%. Peak crop arrivals are seen during March-April while lowest arrivals are seen in August-September.
In the context of price movement, since December 2014, prices of chickpea have moved from
about Rs. 3300 to Rs. 5300 in December 2015. Thereafter, prices moved upward to Rs. 5500 in
January 2016 and then started declining till March 2016 after which prices showed regular uptrend
moving to Rs. 8660 in October in 2016. In year 2016-17, total arrival in the above mandis for chana
was about 2.58 Lakh tonnes. Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Baran mandis were the top 3 APMCs in terms
of volume and value.
The production stage & post-harvest stage call for good practices that need to be introduced and in operations like threshing, winnowing transportation, processing and storage to avoid losses. In fact, consultation at the field level indicates post-harvest losses to the tune of upto 2.5% as per all-India estimates. Further in this context, higher losses could be attributed to lack of proper storage and related infrastructure. Some important support institutions for Bengal Gram in Rajasthan are Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Rajasthan which provides extensive support through their team of State/District/ Tehsil and Panchayat level officials on; recommended package and practices for the crop, mini kits for crop demonstration and subsidy support on certified seed distribution to farmers. Other support structures of the Department of Agriculture are the Rajasthan State Seed and Organic Production Certification Agency, The Rajasthan State Seeds Corporation Ltd, the State Institute of Agriculture Management, Rajasthan State Warehousing Corporation, Department of Agriculture Marketing and Rajasthan State Agriculture Marketing Board who contribute to the productivity, storage and market linkage of the crop. Apart from this, there are various Krishi Vigyan Kendras around Jaipur, Alwar and Kota attached through State Agriculture Universities/ ICAR also contribute in terms of seed production, technology demonstration and post harvest management of the crop. RARI, Durgapura has also played a significant role in production of improved varieties of Bengal Gram contributing to both production and productivity in the State.
The price spread along with the share of stakeholders in consumer’s rupee spent at every stage of
the value chain starting from the farm till the retailer is detailed out in the report. The price spread
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and values accrued to stakeholders across the chain reflects the profit margins accrued to different
stakeholders. Farmer shares 64.61% of the consumer’s rupee while the shares of traders, processors,
wholesalers and retailers are about 3%, 19%, 7.82% and 5.6% respectively. 35.42 % of the value
accruals are accrued to processors, wholesalers and retailers. Producers’ incomes are apparently
dependent on yield as well as their dependency on the type of end product (eg. Dal, besan, etc.).
Here in the existing value chain of Bengal gram, the price build up has been calculated for the
important first channel where the target consumers are urban households and institutional buyers.
The product considered is chana dal.
Typically farmers sell the raw gram at about Rs 5000 per quintal to traders. In the local mandis, it
was sold by traders to the processors at Rs 5230 per quintal (with commission about 3% and
applicable mandi cess of 1.6%). The processors, upon primary and secondary value addition, sell it
to wholesalers at Rs 6700 (gross margin about 28%).1 Thereafter the wholesale and retail prices are
set up at Rs 7035 per quintal and 7738 per quintal with a gross margin of 5% and 10% respectively.
Due to limited infrastructure facilities at the dispersal of various stakeholders, marketing efficiency is
adversely affected.
The existence of a long chain of middle men including the APMC and related commission agents,
producers share in consumers’ rupee is adversely affected. This mirrors the need for promotion of
contract farming options as an alternate channel to APMC. However, the limitations in the contract
farming policy & statutes merit correction. Rajasthan’s population in rural and semi urban areas
prefer properly cleaned and processed polished/unpolished dal and besan. In urban areas branded
dal (polished/unpolished and color sorted) and branded besan are more preferred. In some food
retail centers in shopping malls in Jaipur, more prominent brands of dals and besan like Tata I-
Shakti, Fortune, Reliance, Shakti bhog, Rajdhani, Patanjali etc were more visible on shelves.
However, some local brands were also available in these retail chains and equally popular in small
retail shops. Some of these brands included ‘AgroPure’ promoted by AgroPure Group (NCR), ‘Shri
Balaji’ promoted by Shri Balaji Dall Mill (Rajasthan), ‘Gangaur Besan’ promoted by Mantri Agro
Industries (Rajasthan). Some organic dal and besan brands were also available.
A SWOT analysis of the gram’s value chain highlights that one of the largest producer of gram in
the country is Rajasthan; and Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Baran mandis were the top 3 APMCs in terms
of volume and value. In terms of advantages of gram cultivation, it has unique characteristic of
maintaining and restoring soil fertility. Gram seeds also contain a higher percentage of oil (4-5%)
than other pulses. Gram is traded as whole after undertaking cleaning and grading. Sprouted seeds
of Bengal gram are recommended for curing scurvy. Malica and Oxalic acids collected from green
leaves are prescribed for intestinal disorders. Chickpea is used as dall, for which traditionally
chickpea is soaked in water for a couple of hours and water drained. Dal is then cooked with
vegetables and eaten with rice or wheat bread. By-products of Chickpeas are used for processing of
popular products like Gram Flour (Besan; one of the main ingredients of famous Bikaneri bhujiya
and many other delicacies) and animal feed. Roasted and fried chickpeas are used as snack food.
Chick peas also serve as energy and protein source in animal feed and thus making its demand high
in the feed industry. But when it comes to its disposition in the target clusters of RACP, one finds
1 In this context, dall millers have some expenses related to bagging, transportation, weighing, etc. of their
purchases from mandi. The net accruals on sale of main product dall and by-products chunni and bhusi is in the range of 2-3% (i.e. after considering processing cost, marketing, level of value addition, yield, storage costs, etc). Again, in this context, price movement of gram in market crucially governs the net accruals as well.
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that there is lack of knowledge of gram production technologies among the local farmers. They also
face the non-availability of improved & good quality seeds. There is lack of grading and storage
facilities; and inadequate infrastructure/ facilities with producers, traders, millers at market level
resulting in marketing inefficiencies. As a matter of fact, nearly 9.5 % of post-harvest losses are
accounted in Bengal gram (farm to processing; including storage). Almost no grading is being done
at farm level (leading to price cuts due to foreign content/immature seeds over
specifications/recommended tolerance level and also often due to some malpractices; and large
number of intermediaries in the chain) leading to low income to producers. Lack of market
information regarding prevailing prices, arrivals etc. force farmers to sell in the village itself. Also,
there are limited processing units for Bengal gram and its by-products such as Bengal gram dal units,
roasted Bengal gram units, etc. Also, obsolete techniques are being used in processing, which
reduces output. Shortage/surplus production, coupled with imports level, make the prices of
chickpea unstable which obviously affects producers and consumers both.
These weaknesses can be removed with the intervention opportunities such as setting up a FPC in
the cluster which would then have a scope for tie up of FPCs through FCSC with firms like
Patanjali, Tata, Pulses processing units/ MSME firms, housing societies in urban areas and retail
outlets. There is also scope for facilitation of start-ups from amongst FPOs or individual
entrepreneurs, in secondary processing of value added products of chickpeas like besan, roasted
gram, etc. There is also scope for establishment of quality sorting and grading facilities as part of
FCSC, along with facilities for packaging and vehicle to facilitate transportation. The FPC can then
promote good agricultural practices with regard to planting, harvesting, use of inputs, disease
management, pest control, etc. through FCSC. FPCs can also undertake joint input sourcing
activities for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. under the umbrella of CFC or FCSC as well as facilitate
custom hiring services and hence lead farm mechanization through same.
Pre and Proposed Post-Intervention Value Chain of Bengal Gram
The pre and post intervention value chain for the commodity may be viewed as follows:
Existing Pre Intervention Value Chain: Bengal Gram
The present pre-intervention or value chain for gram may be viewed as one with two critical production-distribution or activity marketing channels. The farmers in the State produce Bengal gram as Rabi crop and supply in institutional procurement done by NAFED etc. Also, farmers sell their produce to processors through village level aggregators and APMC commission agents. There are fifty odd dal mills in the state that process and market dal across the country. In this context, however many micro and small scale dal millers donot have pulses colour sorters machine which is essential to sell dal in premium retail markets. In order to penetrate and sell their product in these premium markets, dall millers get it colour sorted on ‘job work basis’. Alternatively, large dal millers too buy non–colour sorted dals from smaller firms in order to colour sort, pack in their brand and sell to premium markets. Value accruals to processors are subject to commodity price fluctuations by up to even 20%.
Post harvest losses occurs at every stage of the existing value chain of gram starting from post-
harvest to mandi sales and processing. Such post harvest losses total up to a significant amount of
9.5% of the actual harvested output. The major reasons for such losses could be attributed to the
poor storage, inefficient transportation and improper handling of the produce till mandi. At
processor level, higher percentage of the losses may also occur due to the use of obsolete and
inefficient technologies.
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Proposed Post Intervention Value Chain: Bengal Gram
The envisaged post intervention value chain map for Gram may be visualised as one with three
production-distribution or activity-marketing channels: raw gram, cleaned and graded gram and
value added products like dal, besan, etc. It is also envisaged that PCs of producers with FCSCs are
evolved. Such FCSCs undertakes storage, grading and sorting and packaging of produce activity.
These FCSCs may offer other related services in terms of input facilitation, custom hiring,
facilitating B2B connectivity etc. These could help in increasing net value accruals to farmers by
about 5-15%. Farmers’ income from gram cultivation may be enhanced. Presently, the gross average
yield per acre is about 8-9 quintals per hectare.2 The average market rate of sale is about Rs. 5000
per quintal or Rs. 43,750 per hectare.3 The average cost of cultivation is about Rs. 25,350 per
hectare.4 Other than good harvest practices, input facilitation (high seed prices during cropping
season) needs to be provided/disseminated amongst farmers.
In the envisaged post- intervention re-structured value chain, channel 1 will have to be developed as
alternate marketing channels where FCSCs play the role of an alternate private market yard and
undertake basic primary processing (grading, sorting and packing) of Bengal gram (apart from
playing a role of facilitator to its members for institutional sales). In terms of other common
infrastructure, Mini Dal mills, Mini Besan plants or even mini Feed production plants may be pursed
to provide ’job work based’ services to members. In addition, an alternate marketing channel namely
that of supplying to large distributors or retailers like Tata Rallis, Walmart, Patanjali may be
developed.
In terms of intervention on the production front, productivity is low which is also partly because of
inadequate availability of high yielding varieties. There is, therefore, scope for intervention by the
way of introduction of new high yielding varieties in the region. Line departments under RACP and
NGO service-provider may support the initiatives in terms of producer motivation. There is also
need to train farmers on the best package of practices. This could also be undertaken by
stakeholders like large processors/Contract farming companies. There have been limited efforts in
capacity building of farmer leaders (entrepreneurs) and BODs at the field- level. In this regard, it
may be appropriate for ABPF to enable formation of FPCs to meet minimum scale requirements
for upgrading as well as developing alternate market channels. Also, bank linkages under KCC like
schemes. may be explored. The RACP and line departments need also work in coordination with
NGO/service providers and the KVK etc. on high moisture content in harvested gram, harvesting
of immature grains and inadequate post-harvest infrastructure facilities for storage, cleaning and
grading, and drying at farm level. The storage facility may be also therefore established as part of
FCSC with assistance under the project. There is also need for awareness seminars and B2B meets
amongst processors and producers on the options for Special Licence and to source directly from
producers (effectively aggregated into FPOs/ FPCs). Scope for re-orientation of Agri- marketing
policy with reduced mandi taxes on direct procurement; and related capacity building interventions
for farmers is a necessity that may be facilitated by the ABPF.
Conclusion
The report on the value chain analysis of gram clearly brings out that unlike any other enterprises,
agriculture is highly dependent on external factors like nature for its success. This perpetual
2 As per averages in discussion with respondents
3 As per averages in discussion with respondents
4 As per averages in discussion with respondents
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environment of high risk and vulnerability has significantly lowered farmers’ confidence and
suppressed their entrepreneurial instincts as was depicted in the discussions held at the cluster level
meetings. In gram value chain, farmers have not been able to gain higher remuneration/value for
their produce due to lack of direct linkages with processors/consumer market. Thus RACP along
with the market driven intervention of ABPF, aims to integration of farmers to join hands for a
collective cause, help and even push them move up the agriculture value chains to actively
participate in market functions, an unexplored lucrative territory for them so far. This would spur
vertical business integration and diversify portfolios to reduce their vulnerabilities.
The major role of ABPF- GT would be to carry out capacity building of the potential leaders
(BoDs) of the FPC, NGO staff and PMU staff line, conducting value chain studies of the crops
(market led), planning the interventions to improve the returns to the farmers in the 17 project
clusters, developing the business plan for the registered producer companies of clusters, support and
assist agri start-ups in the region and thus, develop overall market linkages. The formation of FPC,
supported by RACP ABPF local NGOs and information centres like KVKs, provides much needed
opportunity to farmers to change their destiny.
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Chapter 1: Introduction
Pulses are the edible seeds of plants in the legume family. Pulses grow in pods and come in a variety
of shapes, sizes and colours. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
recognizes 11 types of pulses: dry beans, dry broad beans, dry peas, chickpeas, cow peas, pigeon
peas, lentils, Bambara beans, vetches, lupins and pulses nes. Pulses are one of the most cost-
effective proteins around, enjoyed by people around the world as a food staple. Among pulses,
Bengal gram, also called Chickpea or Gram (Cicer aritinum L.) in South Asia and Garbanzo bean in
most of the developed world is considered the third most important pulse in the world. Bengal gram
is a major pulse crop in India, widely grown for centuries and accounts for nearly 40 percent of
the total Pulse production. India is the largest producer of Bengal gram in the world, accounting for
61.65 percent of the total world area under Bengal gram and 68.13 percent of the total world
production (as per Year 2002 data). Bengal gram is widely appreciated as health food and as a
protein-rich supplement to cereal-based diets, especially for the poor in developing countries, where
people are largely vegetarian or are not able to afford animal protein. The pulse proteins are rich in
lysine and have low sulphur containing amino acids. Pulses like Bengal Gram also offer the most
practical means of eradicating protein malnutrition among vegetarian children and nursing mothers.
And hence, Bengal gram plays a very important role in human diet in the country.
Origin of Gram
Bengal gram is known to us since ancient times. It is said to be one of the oldest pulses known and
was cultivated in Asia and Europe. According to Aykroid and Doughty (1964), the centre of origin
of Bengal gram is stated to be eastern Mediterranean, but its probable place of origin lies in the
South-Western Asia, i.e. countries lying to North-west of India such as Afghanistan and Persia.
According to De Candolle, the fact that gram has a Sanskrit name “Chanaka” indicates that the
crop was under cultivation in India longer than other countries in the world.
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Table 1: The Vernacular (name) prevailing in different states
Name of the State Local Name
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana
Chana
Punjab Chhole
West Bengal Chola
Orissa Boot
Assam Butmah
Andhra Pradesh Sanagalu
Maharashtra Harbara
Tamil Nadu Kadalai
Kerala Kadala
Karnataka Kadale
Nutritional Value
Table 2: Nutritional value of edible portion per 100 g of Bengal gram
Food Energy (In calorie)
Protein (In g)
Fat (In g)
Calcium ( In mg)
Iron (In mg)
Thiamin (In mg)
Riboflavin (In mg)
Niacin (In mg)
Vitamin C (In mg)
Vitamin A (In mg)
Bengal gram (whole)
360 17.1 5.3 202 10.2 0.3 0.15 2.9 3 189
Bengal gram (Dal)
372 20.8 5.6 56 9.1 0.48 0.18 2.4 1 129
Economic Aspect
Most important pulse crop of India contributing about 30 % of total pulse acreage and about 40 %
of total pulse production of the nation. It is mainly consumed as ‘Dal’ (split cotyledons) and chhole.
Many attractive dishes viz – sweets, snacks and namkeen are also prepared from its floor called
besan. Also eaten as whole fried or boiled and salted. Fresh green leaves (sag) are used as vegetables
and green grains as hare chhole or chholia. Straw of gram is an excellent fodder while both husk and
bits of ‘Dal’ are valuable cattle feed. Leaves consist of mallic and citric acid and are very useful for
stomach ailments and blood purifier.
1.1. Global Scenario
India ranked first in area and production (Year 2013 data) in the world, followed by Pakistan,
Australia and Iran. The highest productivity of 6120 kg/ha is observed in Israel followed by Yemen,
Canada and Egypt. India productivity was 920 kg/ha. The table below presents global ranking of
major chickpea producing countries in terms of area, production and yield:
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Table 3: Chickpea: Global ranking in area, production and yield: major countries (Yr 2013)
Rank Country
Area
Country
Production
Country Yield Area
% to World
Prod. % to
World
I India 96.00 70.90 India 88.325 67.41 Israel 6120
II Pakistan 9.920 7.33 Australia 8.133 6.21 Yemen 2974
III Australia 5.736 4.24 Pakistan 7.510 5.73 Canada 2353
111 Iran 5.500 4.06 Turkey 5.060 3.86 Egypt 2136
V Turkey 4.236 3.13 Myanmar 4.900 3.74 Ethiopia 2041
VI Myanmar 3.350 2.47 Iran 2.950 2.25 Mexico 1817
VII Ethiopia 1.222 0.90 Ethiopia 2.495 1.90 Cyprus 1533
VIII Mexico 1.156 0.85 Mexico 2.099 1.60 Myanmar 1463
IX Syrian Arab 0.845 0.62 Canada 1.694 1.29 Australia 1418
X Canada 0.720 0.53 Yemen 0.580 0.44 Turkey 1195
- - - India 920
World 135.40 World 131.020 World 968 **Source: FAO Staistics-2013
**Area-Lakh ha, Production-Lakh tonnes, Yield-kg/ha
Figure 1: Chickpea Global Scenario (2013) –Area and Production
1.2. Indian Scenario
Production:
Chickpea or Gram is a Rabi crop in India. It is also known by the name Chana and Chickpea and is
sown in the arid and semi-arid regions of the country. It is used as food in various forms and is a
primary source of protein for the poor, as it is cheaper than other pulses.
Although gram is also produced in other states of the country, most of the production comes from
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh (Telangana) and Maharashtra. These
five states produce more than 90 percent of the total production in India. According to the 2013-
14 figures, Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of the gram with 26.90 lakh tonnes (32.73%) to
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 10
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its credit with major districts like Vidisha, Bhind, Morena, Chhatarpur, Jabalpur, Narsingpur, Dhar,
Hoshangabad, Raisen, and Gwalior contributing in the figures. The second largest producing state
of the country is Rajasthan with figures of 16.0 lakh tonnes (19.46% of India). In Rajasthan; Jaipur,
Dausa, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Alwar, Kota & Tonk, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, and
Jhunjhunu are the main producing districts. Maharashtra holds the third position with 15.82% share.
Major bulk of the gram in Maharashtra comes from Osmanabad, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad,
Nanded, Nashik, Solapur, Parbhani and Beed districts. In Uttar Pradesh Banda, Hamirpur, Sitapur,
Fatehpur, Sultanpur, Jalaun Jhansi, Allahabad, Agra, Kanpur and Barabanki districts produces most
of the gram in the state. In Karnataka, Gram is produced by Gulbarga, Bijapur, Bangalore (Rural)
and Davanagere districts. In Haryana Hissar, Sirsa, Rohtak’ Mahendergarh, Gurgaon, Jind, Kaithal
and Karnal districts are the main producers of Gram. Gram is also grown in small quantities in the
state of Bihar, Gujarat, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab5
Table 4: Top 10 Gram Producing States (As per 2013-14)
Sr. No State Production Share (%)
1 Madhya Pradesh 2,690.00 32.73
2 Rajasthan 1,600.00 19.46
3 Maharashtra 1,300.00 15.82
4 Andhra Pradesh 720 8.76
5 Karnataka 630 7.66
6 Uttar Pradesh 530 6.45
7 Chhattisgarh 240 2.92
8 Gujarat 200 2.43
9 Haryana 110 1.34
10 Bihar 60 0.73
5 Top 10 gram producing states in India( http://www.ethicalpost.in/top-10-gram-producing-states-in-india/)
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 11
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Figure 2: State-wise share to Chickpea Production and Its sowing & harvesting period6
India, as a major Chickpea producing country, highest production has been received from Madhya Pradesh by 39%, and followed by Maharashtra (14%), Rajasthan (14%), Andhra Pradesh (10%), Uttar Pradesh (7%), Karnataka (6%) and other remaining states & UTs of India (10%)
Production share calculation has been done for the 10 years average i.e. 2005-2014-DES, MoA. In India the sowing and harvesting period of chickpea differs from state to state.7
Productivity:
During 2012-13, the highest production of chickpea (3551 thousand tonnes) was recorded by
Madhya Pradesh with productivity of 435 kg/ha. In the state of Rajasthan, the production of 1265
thousand tonnes was achieved with a productivity of 1010 kg/ha. In Maharashtra, the production of
1058 thousand tonnes was recorded with productivity of 844 kg/ha. Highest productivity of 1430
kg/ha was recorded in the state of Bihar. In Andhra Pradesh, 759 thousand tonnes of chickpea was
produced with the productivity of 1115 kg/ha.8
I. Mandi Arrivals of major Chickpea producing states
(Unit Arrivals in Lakh Tonnes)
Table 5: Mandi Arrivals of major Chickpea producing states
Sr. No. State July 01,2015
to May 31,2016
July 01,2016 to
May 31,2017
% change over previous period
1 Andhra Pradesh 0.200 0.040 -80.00
2 Assam 0.136 0.131 -3.68
3 Chattisgarh 0.268 0.156 -41.79
4 Gujarat 0.339 0.520 53.39
5 Haryana 0.028 0.009 -67.86
6 Jharkhand 0.009 0.001 -88.89
6http://www.commoditiescontrol.com/eagritrader/common/newsdetail.php?type=SPR&itemid=8204&cid1
=,2,&varietyid=,33 7 http://www.aicrpchickpea.res.in/preface.htm
8 http://www.aicrpchickpea.res.in/preface.htm
39%
14% 14%
10%
6%
7% 10%
State wise contribution in Bengal Gram Production (Avg of 10 yrs i.e 2005-2014)
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Rajasthan
Andra Pradesh
Karnataka
UP
Other
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 12
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7 Karnataka 0.872 0.847 -2.87
8 Kerala 0.042 0.023 -45.24
9 Madhya Pradesh 7.050 8.082 14.64
10 Maharashtra 3.173 3.635 14.56
11 Manipur 0.013 0.012 -7.69
12 NCT of Delhi 0.001 0.001 0.00
13 Orissa 0.000 0.000 0.00
14 Punjab 0.030 0.000 -100.00
15 Rajasthan 1.117 2.381 113.16
16 Tamil Nadu 0.002 0.000 -100.00
17 Telangana 0.002 0.015 650.00
18 Tripura 0.000 0.003 0.00
19 Uttar Pradesh 1.838 1.957 6.47
20 Uttrakhand 0.016 0.006 -62.50
21 West Bengal 0.063 0.074 17.46
Total 15.199 17.893 17.72
** Source: AGMARKNET
In period of July 2016 to May 2017, highest arrivals were observed in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Rajasthan observed over 100% jump in arrivals over previous period.
The difference in mandi arrivals vis-à-vis production, especially in case of chickpea are attributed to factors such as farmers themselves reserving some portion of their produce for self-consumption, while some portion is also traded interstate, or sold under Government Procurement, used as cattle feed and as seed for next sowing/seed production. Some produce is also sold through unofficial channels like small village traders.
Import and Export:
Figure 3: India’s Chickpea Imports VS Total Pulses Imports
**Source: Department of Commerce
**Unit in Thousand Tonnes -Chickpea; - Total Pulses
418.87
1031.48
421.02
4584.84
5797.77 5420.25
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 (april-Dec)
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 13
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India imported about 4.19 lakh MT of chickpea during 2014-15 which was about 9.14% of total
pulses imported by India. Owing to severe shortage in domestic supply, total pulses imports in
2015-16 almost increased by more than 26%. Chickpea imports in the same year increased by
about 146%. In comparison to total pulses imports, chickpea imports were about 17.79% which
was largely because of lower supply availability in domestic market. Bumper crop in majority
pulses in Year 2016-17 led to decline in overall imports including chickpeas.
Figure 4: India’s Chickpea Exports VS Total Pulses Exports
**Source: Department of Commerce
**Unit in Thousand Tonnes -Chickpea; - Total Pulses
India exported about 1.9 lakh MT of chickpea during 2014-15 which was about 85.64% of
total pulses exported by India. Performance of Chickpea exports in 2015-16 was similar
with 2.16 Lakh MT; i.e. 84.87% of total pulses exports.
1.3. State scenario
Rajasthan, currently, is the 2nd largest producer of Chickpea/Bengal Gram in India. There are 2
varieties of Bengal gram grown in the state i.e. Early variety which is sown during the last week of
October to last week of November and harvested from the 3rd week of March till the end of the
month and Late variety which is sown from during last week of November to the last week of
December. Late variety is harvested from 3rd week of April to the end of the month. Major trading
centers of Chana in the state are Jaipur, Bikaner, Kota, Jodhpur, Sri Ganganagar, and
Hanumangarh.
Chickpea Area, Production and Yield of Rajasthan
The table below gives a trend summary of Chickpea Area, Production and Yield of Rajasthan:
Table 6: Chickpea Area, Production and Yield of Rajasthan
Year A P Y
1964-65 1368.5 722.3 528
1965-66 1112.7 413.9 372
1966-67 1116.6 518.0 464
1967-68 1322.6 1049.1 793
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 (Apr-Dec)
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 14
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1968-69 994.2 600.0 604
1969-70 1285.1 782.6 609
1970-71 1617.5 1195.4 739
1971-72 1642.2 884.8 539
1972-73 1204.5 803.1 667
1973-74 1500.5 715.2 477
1974-75 1425.2 795.8 538
1975-76 1952.4 1498.3 767
1976-77 1776.1 1361.4 767
1977-78 1862.0 1488.0 799
1978-79 1747.7 1589.3 909
1979-80 1377.5 749.8 544
1980-81 1225.4 854.3 697
1981-82 1935.2 1257.2 650
1982-83 1756.0 1318.0 750
1983-84 1796.3 1088.3 606
1984-85 1532.6 969.3 632
1985-86 1940.7 1623.1 836
1986-87 1411.7 823.5 583
1987-88 684.2 411.5 601
1988-89 1281.8 967.0 754
1989-90 1143.8 711.4 622
1990-91 1652.7 1011.0 612
1991-92 1028.7 678.9 660
1992-93 1448.7 793.7 548
1993-94 1221.8 747.2 612
1994-95 1586.5 1371.1 854
1995-96 1620.3 1090.3 673
1996-97 1519.1 1071.0 705
1997-98 2213.9 1924.6 869
1998-99 2815.7 2073.8 737
1999-2K 975.3 677.9 695
2000-01 672.6 396.6 590
2001-02 969.6 735.5 759
2002-03 449.7 340.6 757
2003-04 1117.5 707.2 633
2004-05 1035.2 773.0 747
2005-06 1081.9 478.9 443
2006-07 1010.8 872.6 863
2007-08 1231.3 574.2 466
2008-09 1259.5 981.2 779
2009-10 884.4 534.6 605
2010-11 1783.0 1601.0 898
2011-12 1433.9 991.1 691
2012-13 1252.9 1277.4 1019
2013-14 1923.5 1640.4 853
2014-15* 1497.2 1224.7 818 **Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research ** 2014-15* were advance estimates. However, Rajasthan saw lower production in the period owing to some aberrations in yield and unfavourable weather conditions. **Area-000’ ha, Production-000’ tonnes, Yield-kg/ha
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 15
© Grant Thornton India LLP. All rights reserved.
Table 7: Trends in Area, Production and Yield of Chickpea in Rajasthan
** Area: ** Production: ** Yield:
**Area-000’ ha, Production-000’ tonnes, Yield-kg/ha
**2014-15: Advance Estimates
** Study Period: 2004-05 to 2014-15
As can be observed that area under chickpea cultivation has gradually increased (with some
aberrations) in Rajasthan in the study period. To elaborate, 2007-08 saw a major increase of
21.81% (over previous year) in area under cultivation. A sharp decline in Year 2009-10 (about
29.78% over previous year) was followed by a major boost in area cultivated in Year 2010-11,
which observed over 100% increase in area over previous period.
Production of chickpeas, in the same period, has grown by about 58.43% in Year 2014-15 as
compared to Year 2004-05. A sharp decline in production of about 45.52% was observed in
Year 2009-10 as compared to previous year. This trend could be attributed to poor
remuneration received by farmers in previous year coupled with poor weather conditions during
harvest in that year, leading to large scale crop damage and poor yield. However, in the very
next year (i.e. 2010-11), sharp increase in cultivated area, owing to increasing domestic demand
and use of high yielding varieties (coupled with some good agricultural practices, including
increase in irrigated land) led to increased production of approximately 200% as compared to
previous year. In nutshell, use of high yielding varieties, better/more scientific agricultural
practices, favorable price support policy of Government and incentives, have led to phenomenal
growth in production of chickpeas in Rajasthan.
Yield of chickpeas has increased marginally from 747 kg/ha to 818 kg/ha in the same period.
Year 2012-13 saw much higher yield of about 1019 kg/ha. Again, use of high yielding varieties
coupled with some good agricultural practices, inputs of allied R&D institutions, various
support measures of Government (including supply of inputs benchmarking with other states
and countries) has led to this increase in yield. Yet, the average yield of about 897 kg/ha (in last
3 years of study period) is still lower than few other major pulses producing states.
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 16
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1.4. Approach to Value Chain Analysis
In order to evaluate the value chain of Bengal gram, consultations were held with major
stakeholders in the chain including farmers, Consumers, Processors, traders, supporting public and
private service providers and institutions etc. in various parts of the state. Major Bengal gram
producing clusters were considered for survey within Rajasthan.
Table 8: Surveyed Major Stakeholders for Value chain Analysis
Surveyed Markets for the Value Chain Analysis
Within and Outside Rajasthan
Producers of different clusters (30)
Traders (7)
Processors (7)
Government Agencies (5)
Others (Experts, Association Representatives, etc) (7)
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 17
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Chapter 2: Pre Harvest Management
2.1. Major Commercial Varieties Grown in Rajasthan
Major varieties of chickpeas in Rajasthan include: GNG-416, GNG-469, GNG-663, PBG-1, L-550,
Pusa-256, RSG-44, Pusa-1053, PDG 84-1. Notably, improved varieties grown in the state are
presented in the table below:
Table 9: Major commercial varieties grown9
North-western Zone
(Punjab, Haryana, Western
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Himachal Pradesh, Delhi,
Jammu & Kashmir)
C214, C235, H208, H355, G130, G543, RS10, RS11,212,
Pusa261, Pusa408, Gaurav, K850, Radhey, Pusa362,
Pusa1053, Pusa256, RSG888, GPF2, PVG1, PG186, Uday,
Pusa391, Haryana Chana1, Karnal Chana1, DCP-92-3, Gora
Hisari, Samrat, Vardhan, Chamatkar, Pusa267, ICCV32, KAK2,
Phule G-5,GNG1958, CSJ515.
2.2. New Initiatives and Practices
Pod-borer tolerant chickpea
The Assam Agricultural University (AAU) Jorhat, has developed transgenic chickpea lines
expressing cry2Aa, a gene obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis, the soil bacterium from which Bt
genes used in Bt cotton are derived. The cry2Aa is effective against Helicoverpa armigera. Under the
Indo-Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology (ISCB) program, Sungro Seeds Research Ltd, New
Delhi, received three chickpea cry2Aa-expressing lines which were planted in the greenhouse in
mid-2010 and then harvested on maturity. The objective of the initiative at Sungro is to evaluate the
efficacy of the transgenic lines against the pest, and once this is established, to introgress the cry2Aa
event into widely grown chickpea varieties, in order to make available Helicoverpa resistant varieties.
As of now progress that has been achieved is outlined & presented below:
The three cry2Aa-expressing lines were advanced by selling to bulk up seed numbers and plants
were selected on the basis of the protein expression
Eight leading chickpea varieties chosen for conducting outcrossing using the 3 donor lines, and
introgression of the trait has commenced
F1 and BC1 seeds were successfully obtained from the above crosses and have been harvested
Expression of Cry2Aa was confirmed in the F1 plants derived from 3 events
Insect bioassays will be carried out on the F1 and BC1 material
9 Source: i) L.M.Jeswani and B.Baldev - Advances in Pulse Production Technology; pp. 61,62.
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 18
© Grant Thornton India LLP. All rights reserved.
Final line selection will be carried out based on the greenhouse experiments and molecular
characterization of the events.
Sucking pest tolerant chickpea
The transgenic chickpea material containing the ASAL gene which showed improved tolerance to
the sucking pest damage was received from Bose Institute, Kolkata. The seeds received have been
sown for bulking and further analysis.
2.3. Seasonality Pattern
In India, the sowing and harvesting period of chickpea differs from state to state. In Madhya
Pradesh, the basic sowing period of the crop starts from 15th of October to till 15th of November.
Accordingly, the harvesting period of the crops starts after it achieves the maturity period, generally
after 110-125 days from the sowing period.
In the state of Rajasthan, farmer cultivates two types of chickpea i.e. Early variety and the other is
called late variety. The sowing period for both the varieties are different, early variety sowing period
starts from last week of October and last till the last week of November whereas the sowing period
for late variety starts from the last week of November to last week of December. Basically the
maturity period of chickpea is 120 -130 days. Accordingly, the harvesting time period also varies for
both the varieties. The harvesting period of the Early varieties starts from 3rd week of March till the
last week of March and harvesting period for Late variety starts from 3rd week of April to the last
week of April.
The basic sowing period of the crop in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana is whole month of October
and sometimes goes on till the 1st week of November, depending on the weather condition.
Accordingly, the harvesting period of the crop starts after it achieves the maturity period, generally
after 100-105 days of crop from the sowing period.
In the state of Uttar Pradesh, the basic sowing period of the crop is 15th of October to till 15th of
November, depending on the level of moisture content in the soil. Accordingly, the harvesting
period of the crop starts after it achieves the maturity period, generally 110-120 days from the crop
sowing date.
Lastly, the basic sowing period of the crop in Karnataka is 1st week of October to till 1st week of
November, depending on the level of moisture content in the soil. Accordingly, the harvesting
period of the crop starts after it achieves the maturity period which is 110-120 days from the date of
sowing.10
Table 10: Seasonal Availability Pattern of Bengal gram
Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Harvesting
Sowing
2.4. Land Preparation
The field preparation of chickpea farming is based on the type of soil and cropping system followed.
In case of a heavy soil, a rough seedbed should be prepared to avoid packing of the cloddy surface
due to winter rains and to accommodate soil aeration and easy seedling germination. If chickpea is
cultivated as a mixed crop with other cereal crops, the land should be ploughed to a fine tilth. Deep
10 http://www.ethicalpost.in/top-10-gram-producing-states-in-india/
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 19
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ploughing with tractor or a desi plough is required in the field before the monsoon starts. This assist
in retaining sufficient moisture in the soil beds.
2.5. Sowing/Planting/Cultivation
The farmers apart from the chemical seed treatment use higher seed rate. Though chemical seed
treatment is done, it is only effective for vegetative period. As a permanent solution, the microbial
fungicide - Trichoderma viride is being used in a big way. In efficiency of bio-fungicide, the very
question is establishment of fungal bio agent in the soil. To increase the establishment of the fungus
in the soil, immediate need is availability of starter food for its establishment in the surrounding soil.
For this, instead of recommending use of large quantities of farm yard or organic manures, it is
better if one applies a handful of decomposed powdered FYM along with T.V. formulation for
treating the seed.
When sown, the seeds are treated for better germination, to retain moisture which ensures better
germination of bio-agent. The diseases wilt and dry root rot were also effectively managed compared
to the normal chemical seed treatment, if practiced continuously for a period of 2-3 seasons in the
same piece of land.
Seed Rate:
Seed rate of 70 kg/ha and plant density of 25 to 30 plants per square meter, row to row distance 30-
45 cm. One can go for high density plantation in case of late sowing. An average seed rate of 70 –
100 kg/ha is sufficient for growth of the crop.
For sowing, ideally 40 – 50 plants per square meter is desirable for the Desi varieties, and for Kabuli
varieties 25 – 35 plants per square meter should be the target11
2.6. Climatic and Soil Requirement
Chickpea crop grows well under good moisture conditions with ideal temperature range of 24ºC and
30ºC. The crop is cultivated under both irrigated and rainfed conditions but it is known as winter
season crop. This crop does not tolerate frost especially during flowering stage as this will damage
the seed development in the pod. Annually 65 to 95 cm of rainfall is required for its cultivation.
Excessive rains after sowing, flowering stage and seed maturity stage will result in heavy loss of crop
yield.
2.7. Nutrients Management
This depends on the fertility of soil. In the case of poor soils, crop requires well rotten farm yard
manure (F.M.Y) and organic fertilizers like Nitrogen (25kg/ha), Phosphorous and diammonium
phosphate (125 to 150 kg/ha). These manures and fertilizers should be applied before sowing the
seeds using drillers at the depth of about 8 cm in the soil.
2.8. Water Management
Chickpea crop is cultivated mainly as a rainfed crop. However, it can also give good yield under
proper irrigated conditions. This crop requires light irrigations; as excessive watering could result in
extra vegetative growth which reduces the yield of chickpea. If crop is cultivated under irrigated
condition, pre-sowing irrigation is required for better germination of the seed. In case of no rains, it
is advisable to give one irrigation at pre-flowering stage, one irrigation at the flowering stage and one
irrigation at the pod developing stage. Chickpea crop does not tolerate water stagnation in the field
and hence the farm needs to have good internal drainage.
11 http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/grains-and-other-crops/crop-production/growing-chickpea
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 20
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2.9. Weed Management
Chickpea crop is prone to infestation of weeds. One hand weeding should be carried out or hoeing
with hand or with the wheel should be carried out after 4 to 5 weeks of sowing. 2nd weeding should
be given after 2 months of sowing. Herbicides can also be used to control the weeds in the chickpea
crop. Pre-emergence fluchloralin, 1kg as basalin/ha in 900 litres of water should be applied in the
soil before sowing the seeds. Hand weeding or inter culture with the help of hoe is always better
than herbicides because inter culture operation improves the aeration in the soil.
2.10. Pest & Disease Management
Cutworms and Pod Borer are main pests in chickpea farming.
Control Measures
Cutworms: To control this, apply Lindane 6% granules @ 20-30 kg/ha mixed in the soil.
Pod Borer: To control this, apply spray of Endisulfan 35 EC at the rate of 1.30 liters mixed in 900- 1000 liters of water/ha.
Wilt, Grey Mold, Sclerotinia Blight, Rust and Ascochyta Blight are the main diseases in chickpea farming.
Control Measures
Wilt: This is mainly caused by fungus, Treating the seeds with a mixture of Benlate of Thiram (1:1) @ 2.5g per kg of seed will control these diseases. Deep planting of seeds also controls this to some extent. There are some varieties to grow which are resistant to wilt like pusa-362, C-214, Avrodhi, Uday .etc
Grey Mold: spraying the crop with 0.2% Bavistin will control this. Late sowing also reduces the chances of this disease.
Sclerotinia Blight: Choose healthy seeds and treat the field soil with a mixture Captan & Brassicol @ 12 kg per/ha to control this disease.
Rust: To control this disease in chickpea crop, spray the chickpea crop with 0.2% Mancozeb 75 WP followed by 2 more sprays @ 9 to 10 days’ interval. Choosing “Rust” resistant varieties will help in avoiding this type of disease.
Ascochyta Blight: To control this, follow the crop rotation and treat the seeds with Thiram or Bavistin @ 2.5 g/kg of seed before sowing.12
2.11. Recommended Good Agricultural Practices
Major Commercial Varieties Grown in Rajasthan Major Varieties in Rajasthan: GNG-416, GNG-469, GNG-663, PBG-1, L-550, Pusa-256, RSG-44,
Pusa-1053, PDG 84-1.
Land Preparation
Irrespective of the way it is raised gram is always grown as a cold weather (rabi) crop mixed
with Sorghum, wheat, barley, linseed, mustard or pea.
It is also grown as a seed crop.
Gram does not need a very fine seedbed.
A deep ploughing preferably with a single mould-board plough and a second ploughing
with a desi plough followed by a harrowing, if possible, and removal of all weeds from the
field before sowing serves the purpose of ordinary cultivation of this crop.
12 Chickpea farming Guide (http://www.agrifarming.in/chickpea-farming/) (retrieved on April 8,2017)
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 21
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No fine tilth is attempted, nor is the soil compacted, but is left loose on the surface.
Seed treatment Slurry treats the seeds with carbendazim @ 2 g kg-1 of seed.
Slurry treat seeds also with halogen mixture (CaOCl2 + CaCO3 + arappu (Albizzia amara) leaf
powder mixed in the ratio of 5:4:1) @ 3g kg-1 of seed as eco – friendly treatment.
Seed Rate and sowing Seed rate of 60 kg/ha and plant density of 25 to 30
Plants per square meter are ideal for chickpea farming. One can go for high density plantation in
case of late sowing. An average seed rate of 70 – 100 kg/ha well enough good growth of the crop
Nutrients Management
Seed Treatment with Biofertilizer Treat the seeds with one packet (200 g/ha) of Rhizobial culture (200 g/ha) of Phosphobacteria
developed at TNAU using rice kanji as binder. If the seed treatment is not carried out apply
10packets of Rhizobium (2 kg/ha) and 10 packets (2 kg) of Phosphobacteriawith 25 kg of FYM and
25 kg of soil before sowing. Dry the biofertilizer treated seeds in shade for 15 minutes before
sowing.
Intercropping: Growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land (field). There is a crop intensification in both time and space dimensions. There is intercrop competition during all or part of crop growth.
Definitions of intercropping system:
1. Mixed Intercropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously with no district row
arrangement.
2. Row Intercropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously where one or more crops are
planted in rows.
3. Strip Intercropping: Growing soil conserving and soil depleting crops in alternate strips running
perpendicular to the slope of the land or to the direction of prevailing winds for the purpose of
reducing erosion.
4. Relay Intercropping: Seeding planting two or more succeeding crops after flowering and before
the harvest of the standing crop.
Advantages:
1. Intercropping gives higher income per unit area than sole cropping.
2. It acts as an insurance against failure of crop in abnormal year.
3. Intercrops maintain soil fertility as the nutrient uptake is made from both layers.
4. Reduce soil runoff.
Limitations: Intercropping system is uneconomical and undesirable during rabi.
Crops to be considered for intercropping.
A) Kharif crops:
1. Medium black soils:
a) Pearl millet + Red gram 2: 1
b) Pearl millet + Horse gram / Kidney bean / cow pea Inter row of pearl millet.
3. Soils up to 20 cm depth
a) Pearl millet + red gram (30 - 60 - 30 cm)
B) Rabi crops:
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Safflower + Gram (2: 1)
D) Fodder for milch animals: Sorghum bajara + Cowpea or horse gram or kidney bean.
Irrigation The crop is irrigated once or twice only when the soil gets much dried up in November or
December. Further irrigation may not be needed. While irrigating necessary care should be exercised
that there should not be waste stagnation.
Weed Management
Weeds are problamatic both in rainfed and irrigated chickpea because of its short growing nature.
Weed problems is severe under irrigated than in rainfed conditions. Weed problem in rainfed crop
can be minimised with inter-cultivation since the crop is drilled with a row spacing of 35 to 45 cm.
The following herbicides are effective against weeds in chickpea:
PRE Herbicides
Bentazone(1.0-1.5), Pendimethalin(0.5-1.0),Isoproturan(1.0-1.25),Metolachlor(1.0-
1.5),Oxadiazon(0.5-1.0),Oxyfluorfen(100-150 g),Pendimethalin(0.5) + Imazethapyr(50g)
PPI Herbicides, Flucholralin(0.5-1.0), Trifluorfen(0.5-0.75)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Bengal gram
Monitoring for Pest and Disease
Undertake community level monitoring to know change in distribution and abundance of
pest.
Organise regular pest monitoring and assess bio control potential at every 10 days interval.
Record pest incidence at every 5 to 10 km distance at 12 spots/ha and 5 plants/spot
selected randomly.
Use pheromone traps for monitoring gram pod borer. Install pheromone traps at a distance
of 50 m @ 5 traps/ha for each insect pest.
Use specific lure for each pest species and change the lure after every 15-20 days. Trapped
moths should be removed daily.
Pre-sowing stage
Deep ploughing in summer.
Apply well decomposed FYM or neem cake
Synchronised sowing single recommended variety in village/area
Solar treatment to the soil using transparent polythene mulching for at least for 15 days.
Removal of crop stubbles
Inter cropping with coriander/mustard/wheat/sorghum (Rabi)
Early planting mid-October to escape the peak activity of H. armigera
Marigold plantation should be adopted as trap crop/antagonistic crop for nematode.
Use tolerant/resistant varieties
Sowing date
Use Rhizobium culture @ 1 pkt +(200g), 190 kg seed for effective modulation
Thinning should be done in case of dense plant population
Seed treatment with Trichoderma @ 4 gm/kg of seed.
Seed treatment with Carbendazim 25% DS@ 0.75 gm.)/ kg. of seed.
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Seed treatment with Carbosulfan 25 EC @ 3%.
Follow recommended agronomic practices for land preparation seed ratio proper and
balanced fertilizer crop stand.
Vegetative stage
Inter culture and band weeding for keeping the crop weed free for 6 to 8 weeks.
Detopping to reduce pest occurrence
Regular monitoring of gram pod borer in south zone during entire crop season.
Conservation of predatory wisp, spiders, insect parasitoids etc.
Flowering stage
NPV 250 LE or B.t. var Kurstaki 1 kg/ha NSKE 5% or neem pesticides.
Conservation of predators like spiders, chrysopa and other natural enemies by
avoiding indiscriminate use of pesticides.
Installing of bird perches for predatory birds.
Spray of Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 0.04% (1 mI per litre of water or Chloropyriphos 20 EC
@ 0.05% (3.5 ml per litre of water) or Profenofos @ 4 ml/litre of water
Fruiting stage
NPV 250 LE or B.t. var Kurstaki 1 kg/ha NSKE 5% or neem pesticides.
Conservation of predators like spiders, chrysopa and other natural enemies by
avoiding indiscriminate use of pesticides.
Installing of bird perches for predatory birds.
Spray Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 0.04% (1 mI per litre of water or Chloropyriphos 20 EC @
0.05% (3.5 ml per litre of water) or Profenofos @ 4 ml/litre of water.
2.12. Harvesting
Crop becomes ready for harvest when leaves begin to fall, stem and pod turn brown or straw in colour and seeds are hard and rattle (most important) with 15% moisture inside them. Over ripening may lead to fall of pods as well as shattering and seed cracking if seed moisture falls below 10% due to delay in harvesting. The crop is allowed to dry for 2-4 days on threshing floor (depending on situation) and threshed by manually or bullock/power drawn thresher followed by winnowing. The clean seed should be sun dried for 3-4 days to bring their moisture content at 9-10%. Now they should be safely stored in appropriate bins and fumigated to protect them from bruchids.
2.13. Pre Harvest Constraints
For chickpeas, light field preparation is required. Weed free situation is compulsory. After harvest of kharif crop prepare field with plough and/or cultivator (Gorru) or tractor drawn cultivator so that top soil is free from the weeds and at the same time stored soil moisture is preserved to the maximum extent for crop use. Application of 2 tonnes of well decomposed FYM or compost/Ac or 0.8 tonnes of vermi-compost mixed with 2 kg PSB (phosphate solubilising bacteria)/Ac is recommended at the last tilling. Apply 200 litres of Sanjeevak or Jeevamrutam/Ac at sowing or immediately after, for ready availability of micro-organisms to improve the soil fertility.
Due to mono-cropping in Bengal gram for many years, the soil borne diseases like wilt and dry root rot have increased in the recent years, damaging the crop considerably.
Harvesting during weeding stage is another constraint due to high demand for labour during weeding stage, some farmers may not be available on time. This may lead to late harvest
Sudden and continuous rain showers before harvesting too may lead to late harvest of crop
Very Low temperature just before harvesting may lead to shrinking/ shattering of pods.
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Chapter 3: Post-Harvest Management
3.1. Post-Harvest Losses, Harvesting Care and Post-Harvest Equipment
Post-harvest losses account for 9.5 percent of total Bengal gram production13. Among post-harvest
operations, storage is responsible for the maximum loss (7.5%). Processing, threshing and transport
cause 1 percent, 0.5 percent and 0.5 losses respectively. Among storage losses, Bengal gram is most
susceptible to damage due to insects 5 percent. Appropriate storage structures (metal storage bins)
need to be popularised. Due to recent advances in processing technology, the net availability of end
products in modern dal mills has been increased to 70-75% compared to 65-66% in traditional dal
mills.
Table 11: Harvest and Post-harvest loss14
Sr. No. Stages and factors Loss % of yield
1 Threshing 0.5
2 Transport 0.5
3 Processing 1.0
4 Storage 7.5
Total 9.5
(retrieved on 20th June 2017)
The post-harvest losses of Bengal gram can be minimised in the process of threshing, winnowing,
storage, processing, handling and transportation.
Threshing and Winnowing:
Apparently during threshing about 0.5 percent losses are incurred in order to reduce the losses,
threshing and winnowing operations are required to be completed within a short period through
improved equipment on a pucca platform.
Transport Losses:
During transportation, about 0.5 percent losses are incurred in transporting the produce from the
field to the threshing floor. Efficient and quick transportation supported by good packaging
material is necessary to reduce the losses.
Processing:
Due to use of old and outdated methods in processing, the loss at this stage has been reported to be
upto 1 percent. To reduce the milling losses and to increase the output, improved and upgraded
technology, PLC controlled equipment may be used.
13 http://re.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/Pulses%20Production%20Technology.pdf
14 http://re.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/Pulses%20Production%20Technology.pdf
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Storage:
Due to improper and inefficient methods of storage, loss of about 7.5 percent is estimated during
storage. Quantitative losses mainly result from spoilage, driage or portion of produce, infestation by
Following measures should be taken to avoid post-harvest losses:
Timely harvest.
Use of proper methods of harvesting
Adoption of modern mechanical methods for threshing and winnowing.
Use of improved techniques and technologies for processing.
Cleaning and grading of the produce as per standards.
Use of proper technique during storage.
Use of pest control measures during storage.
Proper care in handling (loading and unloading) of packages.
Avoiding use of hooks during handling.
Use of efficient and good packaging for storage as well as for transportation i.e. B-Twill
Jute bags or HDPE bags.
Harvesting Care
Following care should be taken during harvesting:
Avoid use of pesticides prior to harvest.
Avoid over-maturity of crop.
Harvesting before the crop matures usually means a lower yield and also a higher
proportion of immature seeds, inviting insects attack during storage.
Timely harvesting ensures optimum grain quality and consumer acceptance.
Keep harvested crop for drying in the field.
Tag the bundles properly and keep at proper place.
Drying of Bengal gram to optimum moisture content results in safe storage of produce over
a longer period of time.
Avoid harvesting during adverse weather conditions.
Post-Harvest Equipments
Harvesting by local sickle is the traditional practice. Improved serrated blade sickles are also in use.
The performance of narrow pitch cutter bar with horizontal conveyor is better than other types of
available reapers. Combines with floating cutter-bar are in can be used in large farms.
3.2. Grade Specification& Grading at producer level
Grading and marking of agricultural produce as per accepted quality standards helps farmers,
marketing functionaries, processors, traders and consumers in efficient marketing with numerous
benefits, as presented below:
It enables the farmer to get higher price for the produce.
It facilitates competitive marketing.
It widens the marketing process as buying and selling can take place between two parties at
distant places, by quoting standard grades.
It reduces the cost of marketing and minimises storage losses.
It facilitates in maintaining quality of the produce.
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It helps the consumers to get standard quality of produce at reasonable prices.
It facilitates the futures trading and price stabilisation.
Grade specifications
AGMARK specifications under Agricultural Produce (Grading & Marking) Act, 1937 Grade
specifications (quality) of husked split Bengal gram (Chana) pulse
A. General characteristics: Bengal gram split pulse shall –
be the processed splits of mature, dried, whole grains of Cicer Arietinum;
have reasonably uniform size, shape and colour, characteristic of the variety/ form;
be sweet, clean, whole-some and free from moulds, weevils, obnoxious smell,
discolorations, admixture of deleterious substances (including added colouring matter) and
all other impurities except to the extent indicated under special characteristics;
be in sound merchantable condition;
not have moisture exceeding 12% and have good cooking quality.
B. Special characteristics:
Table 12: Maximum limits of tolerance (per cent)
Maximum limits of tolerance (per cent) Maximum Grade designation
Foreign matter
Admix- ture
Damaged or discoloured
Slightly touched pulses
Green grains
Broken
Fragments
Weevilled pulses
Partially unhusked/ husked splits and wholes (both unhusked and husked)
Special 1 2 1 8 5 3 1 2 4
Good
3 2 10 6 5
4 6
Fair 4 6 4 15 8 10 5 6 8
C. Definitions:
1. “Foreign matter” includes dust, stones, lumps of earth, chaff, husk, stem, straw or any
other impurity including edible and non-edible seeds.
2. “Admixture” means any pulse other than the principal pulse;
3. “Damaged or discoloured pulses” are those pulses that are internally damaged or
discoloured to an extent of discolouring the material which effects the quality of the pulse.
4. “Weevilled pulses” are those pulses that are partially or wholly bored or eaten by weevil or
other grain insects.
5. “Brokens” include pieces below ¾ and above ¼ of the full size splits.
6. “Fragments” include pieces below ¼ of the full size splits.
7. “Partially husked” splits and wholes (both husked and unhusked)” includes:
Pieces that are partially husked; and
Wholes whether with husk or without husk.
8. “Slightly touched pulses” are those pulses that are superficially damaged or discoloured,
such damaged or discolouration not materially affecting the quality of the pulse.
9. Green grains are those that are green in colour.
Grade specifications (quality) of Besan (Gram flour) under AGMARK
A. General characteristics:
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Besan shall be the product obtained by milling pure, clean, dried decuticled gram (Cicer arietinum)
only and shall be free from any extraneous matter, colouring matter and preservatives. It shall also
be free from insect and fungus infestation and rodent contamination. 99 percent of the material
shall pass through 500 microns I.S. sieve.
It shall be free from any admixture of flour of Khesari dal (Lathyrus sativus).
B. Special characteristics: Table 13: Special characteristics
Grade
designation
Moisture
%* by
weight
Max.
Total ash* (on
dry basis) %
by weight
Max.
Acid* isol.
ash (on dry
basis) % by
weight Max.
Alcoholic* acidity
as H2SO4 in 90%
alcohol % by
weight Max.
Crude protein*
(Nx 6.25) (on dry
basis) % by
weight min.
Standard 12.5 4 0.35 0.1 21
Adopted from I.S. 2400/1963.
Source: Directorate of Marketing and Inspection.
Grading at producers’ level and under AGMARK:
There is an increasing recognition to grade the produce before sale to get better price and adequate
returns. Directorate of Marketing and Inspection introduced the scheme of “Grading at Producers’
level” in 1962-63. The main objective of the scheme is to subject the produce to simple tests of
quality and assign a grade before sale. 1411 grading units at producers’ level were set up in the
country as on 31-03-2002. The progress of grading at producers’ level and grading and marking
under AGMARK by the traders is presented below:
Table 14: Grading of Bengal gram at producers’ level
Year Quantity (Tonnes) Value (Rs. Lakh)
2000-2001 133014.2 21847.96
2001-2002 143495 28577.03
2002-2003 186648 28241.97
Source: Directorate of Marketing & Inspection, Faridabad
3.3. Major Storage Disease and Pest and their Control Measure
During the storage of Bengal gram, a number of pests damage the produce. These pests cause both
quantitative and qualitative losses. Pests also damage seed viability and nutritive value of the
produce. The infestation of these pests depends on various factors like moisture content of the
grain, relative humidity, temperature, storage structures, storage period, processing, hygienic
condition, fumigation frequency etc. The major storage pests of Bengal gram and their control
measures are presented in the table below.
Table 15: Major Pests, Diseases and their control measures in Bengal gram
Name of pests Figure of pest Nature of damage Control measures
1. Pulse beetle
Callosobruchus sps.
Beetle
i) The larvae bore into
grains feed the entire
content of the grain
leaving only the shell
(seed coat) behind.
Two types of treatment are followed
to control infestation.
A) Prophylactic treatment
(preventive): Use following
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ii) Adults cut out circular
holes in seeds.
iii) Sometimes these
insects begin their
infestation, when the
pods are in the
ripening stage in the
field, and are
subsequently carried
with the grains into the
store after harvest.
iv) These pests do not
attack split pulses.
insecticides to prevent infestation in
godown and stock of Bengal gram.
1. Malathion (50%EC): Mix 1 litre in
100 litre of water. Use 3 litre
prepared solution per 100 square
meter area. Spray at every 15 days
interval.
2. DDVP (76% EC): Mix 1 litre in
150 litre of water. Use 3 litre
prepared solution per 100 square
meter area. Do not spray on stock.
Spray on walls and floors of the
godown as and when required or
once in a month
3. Deltamethrin (2.5/WP): Mix 1 kg
in 25 litres of water. Use 3 litre
prepared solution per 100 square
meter area. Spray on gunny bags
after 3 months interval.
2.Khapra beetle
Trogoderma granarium (Everts)
Beetel and Larve i) Larvae are one of the
most serious stored
grain pest but the beetle
itself does not damage.
ii) The larvae starts
feeding from embryo
point and later consume
the entire kernel, which
makes the grain hollow
and only the husk
remains.
iii) Infested grains are
full with frass, cast skins
of larvae and excreta,
which results in
deterioration of quality of
grains.
iv) The larvae are often
found on edge of jute
stacks and make the
infested store
unhygienic found on
edge of jute stacks and
make the infested store
unhygienic.
3. Dried bean
weevil
Acanthoscelide
s obtectus (say)
i) Infestation is induced
in the field on ripening of
crop when pods are
split.
ii) Larvae feed on the
seed by boring.
B) Curative treatment: Use
following fumigants to control
infested stock/godown of Bengal
gram
1. Aluminium phosphide: For
stack fimigation use 3 tablets/ tonne
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4. Rice moth
Corcyra
cephalonica
(Stainton)
i) Larvae contaminate
the food grains with
dense webbing, excreta
and hairs.
ii) Whole grains are
bound into lumps.
and put polythene cover on infested
stock. For godown fumigation, use
120 to 140 tablets/100 cubic meter
area and keep godown structure
airtight and closed for 7 days.
5. Confused
flour beetle
Tribolium
confusum
J.duV.
Beetle and larvae both
feed on the broken and
damaged grains
produced by milling and
handling or attack
damaged grains by
other insects.
6. Rodents
i) Rodents feed on
whole grains and split
pulses.
ii) They also cause
mechanical damage to
the gunny bags and
other storage structures
of Bengal gram by
cutting, which results in
spilling of grains.
iii) They spill more
grains than they
consume.
iv) Rodents also
contaminate Bengal
gram by hair, urine and
feces, which deteriorate
the quality and cause
diseases like cholera,
food poisoning,
ringworm, rabies etc.
Rat cage:
Different types of rat cages are
available in the market. Caught rats
can be killed by dipping into water.
Poison baits:
Anti-coagulant pesticide like Zinc
phosphide is mixed with bread or
any other food stuff used as bait.
Keep baits for a week.
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Chapter 4: Cost of production and Net value accruals to producers
Following is an illustration of a typical farmer in Bhadu village (Bikaner) with about 1 hectare land
under Bengal gram cultivation as single harvest. The gross yield per is 8.75 quintals per hectare. The
market price on sale is about Rs. 5000 per quintal or Rs. 43750 per hectare. The cost of cultivation
is about Rs. 25350 per hectares. Out of this about Rs. 3750 is cost of land preparation, seed cost is
about Rs. 9600, fertilizer and pesticide cost is about Rs. 1250, plant treatment and sowing cost add
up to Rs. 2750, weeding related (labour cost) is about Rs. 2000 and harvesting and threshing cost is
about Rs. 5000. Packing cost is Rs. about Rs. 500 per hectare of produce. Transportation cost to
mandi is about Rs. 500 - all totalling to around Rs. 25350 for total 1 hectare of gram cultivation. Net
realization per acre is about Rs. 18400 per hectares or Rs. 2103 per Quintal. There seems to be
dearth of warehousing facilities in the region. Farmers in the region procure seeds, fertilizers and
pesticides from co-operative societies and local shops at Bhadu. The price fluctuation in output, in a
single year, is sometimes even over 20 percent. Table 16: Cost of Production
Particulars Value
Chana Grown in (in hectares) 1
Chana Productivity (in Quintals) per hectare 8.75
Hence, Total Production (in Quintals) 8.75
Market Price on sale in mandi (per Quintal) 5000
Gross Value Realized 43750
Costs of production
Land Preparation 3750
Seed Cost 9600
Fertilizers & Pesticides 1250
Sowing 1500
Insecticides & Plant treatment 1250
weeding related (labour cost) 2000
harvesting & Threshing cost 5000
Packing cost 500
Transportation cost to mandi 500
Total Costs 25350
Net Realization per hectare 18400.00
Per quintal Net realization 2102.86
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In nut shell, gross yield of gram is observed to be in range of 8-9 quintals per ha. Considering the market rate of the seeds is about Rs. 50000 per ton or Rs. 50 per kg, gross realization could be in range of Rs. 43,750 per ha. The cost of cultivation, as per above illustration, is about Rs. 25350 per ha. Hence, the net realization (from sales of grains) per ha is about Rs. 18,400 per ha. However, critically, the wastage during the threshing and transport process could be in the range of about 1%.
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Chapter 5: Supply Chain of Commodity
5.1. Seasonal Availability and Price Pattern
5.1.1. Seasonal Availability
In Rajasthan, planting of Bengal gram starts from November and goes on till December. The
harvesting of crops starts after it achieves the maturity period, generally after 110-125 days from the
sowing period. The produce is available in market from March onwards. The period from March to
June is considered as Peak period.
Table 17: Seasonal availability of Bengal gram
Country March Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
India
Rajasthan(early)
Rajasthan(late)
Sowing
Harvesting
Growth Period
5.1.2. Market Arrivals & Prices in Major Markets of Rajasthan
Mandi Arrivals of Gram in some key mandis in Rajasthan (2016-2017)
Table 18: Mandi Arrivals of Gram in some key mandis in Rajasthan (2016-2017)
S.No Division APMC Name Value (in lakhs) Arrival (in quintals)
Year
1 Ajmer Ajmer (Grain) 118.69 1765 2016-2017
2 Ajmer Beawar 548.82 10610 2016-2017
3 Ajmer Bhilwara 515.27 9597 2016-2017
4 Ajmer Bijay Nagar 2085.98 41138 2016-2017
5 Ajmer Bijoliya 6.66 132 2016-2017
6 Ajmer Deoli 406.38 7802 2016-2017
7 Ajmer Gangapur 29.02 566 2016-2017
8 Ajmer Kekri 4128.36 84706 2016-2017
9 Ajmer M. Kishangarh 5727.27 105117 2016-2017
10 Ajmer Malpura 1918.12 36326 2016-2017
11 Ajmer Mandalgarh 15.95 315 2016-2017
12 Ajmer Niwai 688.28 12967 2016-2017
13 Ajmer Tonk 270.88 5111 2016-2017
14 Ajmer Uniyara 95.30 1906 2016-2017
15 Ajmer Shahpura(Bhilwara) 86.18 1646 2016-2017
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16 Bikaner Bikaner (Grain) 34086.67 612067 2016-2017
17 Bikaner Khajuwala 2552.80 48768 2016-2017
18 Bikaner Lunkaransar 1900.62 34904 2016-2017
19 Bikaner Nokha 1772.27 34664 2016-2017
20 Bikaner Ratangarh 14.60 310 2016-2017
21 Bikaner Sadulpur 294.00 5603 2016-2017
22 Bikaner Sardar Shahar 73.66 1464 2016-2017
23 Bikaner Sri Dungargarh 1060.05 20033 2016-2017
24 Bikaner Sujangarh 113.68 2269 2016-2017
25 Jaipur Bandikui 885.36 16051 2016-2017
26 Jaipur Chaksu 1378.87 26247 2016-2017
27 Jaipur Chomu 361.70 6318 2016-2017
28 Jaipur Dausa 880.03 15820 2016-2017
29 Jaipur Jaipur (Grain) 2866.21 47785 2016-2017
30 Jaipur K Renewal 489.59 9402 2016-2017
31 Jaipur Kotputli 3.36 49 2016-2017
32 Jaipur Lalsot 1146.63 20432 2016-2017
33 Jaipur Mandawar 471.93 8672 2016-2017
34 Jaipur Mandawari 640.75 11221 2016-2017
35 Jaipur Mahuwa 56.97 1130 2016-2017
36 Jaipur Bassi 137.51 2354 2016-2017
37 Jodhpur Balotra 15.29 353 2016-2017
38 Jodhpur Barmer 107.73 1449 2016-2017
39 Jodhpur Bilara 47.60 496 2016-2017
40 Jodhpur Jaisalmer 8046.11 137912 2016-2017
41 Jodhpur Jaitaran 310.66 6857 2016-2017
42 Jodhpur Jalor 12.50 250 2016-2017
43 Jodhpur Jodhpur (Grain) 4595.01 80702 2016-2017
44 Jodhpur Pali 1814.89 41043 2016-2017
45 Jodhpur Peepar City 126.99 2650 2016-2017
46 Jodhpur Rani 998.74 19779 2016-2017
47 Jodhpur Sojat Road 31.23 653 2016-2017
48 Jodhpur Sumerpur 4345.41 82094 2016-2017
49 Kota Antah 22.67 510 2016-2017
50 Kota Atru 704.70 13826 2016-2017
51 Kota Baran 5581.79 112140 2016-2017
52 Kota Bhawani Mandi 1351.37 25892 2016-2017
53 Kota Bundi 412.16 7745 2016-2017
54 Kota Chabra 941.22 18408 2016-2017
55 Kota Gangapur City 1163.38 18534 2016-2017
56 Kota Hindoun 146.95 2217 2016-2017
57 Kota Iklera 213.14 3824 2016-2017
58 Kota Itawa 35.76 667 2016-2017
59 Kota Jhalrapatan 353.75 6513 2016-2017
60 Kota Keshoraipatan 29.07 610 2016-2017
61 Kota Khanpur 121.63 2343 2016-2017
62 Kota Kota (Grain) 4619.53 82444 2016-2017
63 Kota Ramganjmandi 1669.27 32713 2016-2017
64 Kota Sw. Madhopur 1258.38 23296 2016-2017
65 Kota Sumerganj 69.38 1310 2016-2017
66 Kota Dei 61.98 1276 2016-2017
67 Kota Chomela 45.35 1030 2016-2017
68 Udaipur Aabu Road 82.91 1558 2016-2017
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69 Udaipur Banswara 16.88 490 2016-2017
70 Udaipur Barisadari 23.71 396 2016-2017
71 Udaipur Chittorgarh 25.99 69 2016-2017
72 Udaipur Dungarpur 6.30 123 2016-2017
73 Udaipur Fatehnagar 303.08 5765 2016-2017
74 Udaipur Kapasan 13.02 282 2016-2017
75 Udaipur Nimbahera 148.59 2777 2016-2017
76 Udaipur Pratapgarh 992.48 19707 2016-2017
77 Udaipur Udaipur (Grain) 440.79 7030 2016-2017
78 Udaipur Chhotisadri 19.16 333 2016-2017
79 Alwar Alwar 815.57 13817 2016-2017
80 Alwar Baroda Mev 29.04 524 2016-2017
81 Alwar Bayana 57.87 1116 2016-2017
82 Alwar Dholpur 42.86 863 2016-2017
83 Alwar Khairthal 221.58 3806 2016-2017
84 Alwar Kherli 26.52 520 2016-2017
85 Alwar Nadwai 1.50 25 2016-2017
86 Alwar Nagar 15.73 313 2016-2017
87 Hanumangarh Bhadara 56.25 929 2016-2017
88 Hanumangarh Goluwala 578.94 10692 2016-2017
89 Hanumangarh Hanumangarh 177.80 3052 2016-2017
90 Hanumangarh Nohar 959.64 17197 2016-2017
91 Hanumangarh Pilibanga 110.72 1984 2016-2017
92 Hanumangarh Rawatsar 34.52 594 2016-2017
93 Hanumangarh Sadulshahar 329.15 5988 2016-2017
94 Hanumangarh Sangariya 196.18 3690 2016-2017
95 Hanumangarh Suratgarh 152.00 2914 2016-2017
96 Sikar Chirawa 17.94 351 2016-2017
97 Sikar Deedwana 0.48 10 2016-2017
98 Sikar Degana 7.46 144 2016-2017
99 Sikar Fatehpur 268.60 5050 2016-2017
100 Sikar Jhunjhunu 69.00 1298 2016-2017
101 Sikar Kuchaman City 165.91 3128 2016-2017
102 Sikar Merta City 3864.09 78884 2016-2017
103 Sikar Nagaur 20.23 432 2016-2017
104 Sikar Nawalgarh 608.09 11748 2016-2017
105 Sikar Neem-Ka-Thana 21.05 385 2016-2017
106 Sikar Sikar 715.32 13906 2016-2017
107 Sikar Sri Madhopur 668.53 11479 2016-2017
108 Sikar Surajgarh 8.23 157 2016-2017
109 Sriganganagar Anoopgarh 1130.47 21427 2016-2017
110 Sriganganagar Gajsinghpur 2173.31 40616 2016-2017
111 Sriganganagar Gharsana 1139.97 21672 2016-2017
112 Sriganganagar Jaitsar 171.09 3295 2016-2017
113 Sriganganagar Kesrisinghpur 436.00 8031 2016-2017
114 Sriganganagar Padampur 1404.00 27101 2016-2017
115 Sriganganagar Raisinghnagar 5359.98 96373 2016-2017
116 Sriganganagar Rawla 746.27 14356 2016-2017
117 Sriganganagar Ridmalsar 394.11 7552 2016-2017
118 Sriganganagar Sri Ganganagar(Grain) 6190.01 102946 2016-2017
119 Sriganganagar Sri Karanpur 1179.22 22229 2016-2017
120 Sriganganagar Sri Vijaynagar 350.67 6553 2016-2017
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Total 140070.87 2580480
**Source: Department of Agricultural Marketing, Government of Rajasthan, Statement of Arrival/Valuation- Gram. **In year 2016-17, total arrival in the above mandis for chana was about 2.58 Lakh tonnes **Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Baran mandis are the top 3 APMCs in terms of volume and value.
Price Movement
Below table elaborates on trend in price movement in some major domestic markets.
Table 19: Price Movement in top 3 domestic markets
Mandis Feb-17 Jan-17 Feb-17
% Change ( over previous month )
% changes ( over previous year )
Chickpeas
Delhi 5277 6476 4624 -18.51 14.12
Indore 5218 6617 4409 -21.14 18.35
Bikaner 5605 7138 4500 -21.48 24.56
Price Trend of Chickpeas
Figure 5: Price Trend of Chickpeas
**Source: Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC), Agmarknet, and Agriwatch **The prices for chickpeas have been higher in the domestic market than that of the international market since Dec, 2015.
Since December 2014, prices of chickpea have moved from about Rs. 3300 to Rs. 5300 in
December 2015. Thereafter, prices moved upward to Rs. 5500 in January 2016 and then started
declining till March 2016 after which prices showed regular uptrend moving to Rs. 8660 in October
in 2016.
MSP of Gram in last 5 years
Table 20: MSP of gram in last 5 years
MSP of 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Gram 3000 3100 3175 3425# 4000* **Source: Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
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** Unit: Rs/Quintal #Bonus of Rs. 75/quintal on Gram was payable over and above the MSP in 2015-16. * including bonus of Rs. 200/quintal
5.2. Existing Marketing Channels
The present pre-intervention or value chain for gram may be viewed as one with two critical
production-distribution or activity marketing channels. The farmers in the State produce Bengal
gram as Rabi crop and supply in institutional procurement done by NAFED etc. Also, farmers sell
their produce to processors through village level aggregators and APMC commission agents. There
are fifty odd dal mills in the state process and market dal across the country. In this context,
however many micro and small scale dal millers do not have pulses colour sorters machine which is
essential to sell dal in premium retail markets. In order to penetrate and sell their product in these
premium markets, dal millers get it colour sorted on ‘job work basis’. Alternatively, large dal millers
too buy non–colour sorted dals from smaller firms in order to colour sort, pack in their brand and
sell to premium markets. Value accruals to processors are subject to commodity price fluctuations
by up to even 20%.
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 37
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Figure 6: Pre-intervention marketing channels of Bengal Gram
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 38
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Post-harvest losses occurs at various stages of the existing value chain of gram starting from post-
harvest to mandi sales and processing. Such losses total up to a significant amount of 9.5% of the
actual harvested output. The major reasons for such losses could be attributed to the poor storage,
inefficient transportation and improper handling of the produce till mandi. At processor level,
higher percentage of the losses could be attributed to the use of obsolete and inefficient
technologies and improper storage.
In Channel 3, demand for premium colour sorted dal is met by millers (not having the required
technology) by undertaking job work with other milling units possessing same. Alternatively, large
millers buy non-colour sorted dal from small millers to further sort to sell the final product in
premium markets.
5.3. Alternative Systems of Marketing
5.3.1. Direct Marketing
Direct marketing is an innovative concept, which involves marketing of produce by the farmers to
the consumer/miller without any middlemen. It enables producer and miller and other bulk buyers
to economise on transportation cost and to improve price realisation considerably. The price spread
in direct marketing is considerably low. Direct marketing by farmers to the consumers has been
experimented in the country through Apni Mandis in Punjab and Haryana. The concept of direct
marketing with certain improvements has been popularised in Andhra Pradesh through Rythu
Bazars. At present, small and marginal producers without the help of the middlemen are selling their
produce in these markets. In these markets, mainly fruits and vegetables are marketed along with
other commodities.
Benefits:
It increases profit of the producers.
It minimizes marketing cost.
It increases distribution efficiency.
It satisfies the consumers through better quality of produce at reasonable price. It provides
better marketing techniques to producers.
It encourages direct contact between producers and consumers.
It minimizes the margin of the middlemen.
It encourages the farmers to produce according to demand.
Illustration of market linkages between Farmer Producer Companies of Maharashtra and Dall Millers of Nagpur
The Dall Milling Cluster of Nagpur comprises of over 100 SME firms, who are involved in
(tur/chana/mung/urad) Dal production. Milling capacity of cluster units are in the range of 2-4
TPH. On an average, each milling unit in the cluster has requirement of 4000 tons of pulses
annually. As a matter of fact, Nagpur Dall Mill Cluster has been supported under the MSECDP
scheme of Ministry of MSME and has developed a dedicated 12 TPH Pre-Processing and Post-
Processing Common Facility Center. The CFC too accentuates the individual capacity of the
cluster units.
Also, Thousands of members (shareholders) of about 150-200 FPOs in Maharashtra, supported
under the Maharashtra Agriculture Competitiveness Project, are involved in production of pulses
including Bengal Gram. Largely, these farmers have been selling their farm produce (without any
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 39
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value addition) in various mandis in their proximity.
The need for direct linkage arises from the fact that traditionally farmers have had to sell their
produce at the APMC market yards. This process involves deals being struck by the traders and
middlemen with the farmer. In general, the trade chain has been as under:
Farmer—Kacha Adhtia—Pakka Adhtiya—Miller—Distributor—Retailer—Consumer
In the above situation, farmers who have no direct link with processors, and thus sold their
produce in market after dealing with the mandi agents there. Similarly, millers are dependent on
Mandis for procurement of their raw material and are also required to pay about 3%
commission/aadhat for procurement of pulses from APMC trader. In such situation, farmers
obviously fetched lower profit (or even had to bear losses) due to lower sale price. The millers
too, on various occasions, have had to face the problem of differences between final purchased
lot and approved sample (in terms of mixing of different seed varieties in one lot or higher
percentage of immature grains (mulan)/other foreign material).
Importantly, to effectively execute this linkage activity and to ensure direct sale to millers, ABPF
team first assisted the FPOs in procuring Direct Marketing License from Directorate of
Marketing, (Maharashtra State). Few meetings were arranged between dall mill owners and key
directors of FPOs to discuss and to chalk out a mutually agreeable procurement model. In
general, millers (present in discussions) have expressed that since FPOs under MACP program
can supply ‘cleaned and graded’ raw material, a premium rate over the prevailing APMC rate can
be offered. The agreed model and vis-à-vis difference between current sales at APMC has been
elaborated in table below.
Table 21: Price and cost parameters implications of direct sale model
Parameter Sale/Procurement at APMC Direct Sale to miller
Premium for Cleaned and Graded Pulses
Nil (in most cases) as no benchmarking.
4.5% (premium over market price-as per detailed specifications and T&C mentioned in Table 2 below)
Sale Price of immature grains (separated through C&G process)
Immature grains are not bought separately at APMC.
33% of market price
Cleaning and Grading Cost to farmer/FPO (including loading and unloading charges) Nil
Approximately Rs. 50 per quintal (General C&G Job work rate in market)
Cess payable by FPO Nil. Payable by buyer
1.05% is cess payable. Shall be additionally loaded to buyers invoice
Additional Benefits As mentioned in Table 2 below
Note: The above mentioned comparative benefits are most favourable (to farmers) in direct selling
when market prices are higher than MSP and percentage of immature grains (in farm raw material) is
as low as possible.
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Table 22: Terms and Conditions (also including other offered benefits)
Parameter Remarks
Price Discovery Mechanism
4.5 % premium for Cleaned and graded material, on FPOs District APMC prevailing best rate which on mutual agreement will be considered as base price.
(i.e. FPOs billing to include agreed base price + 4.5% premium. Such total includes cost of cleaning and grading and that no additional costs will be billed to miller). Cess will be paid by FPO first and will be loaded in the invoice to miller as additional cost.
Immature grains (Mulan) purchase price;- 33% on FPOs District APMC prevailing best rate.
Cleaning and grading of Pulses and quality
Preferred Seed Varieties:
Tur- Maruti seed
Chana- Desi varieties, Jackey
Non-preferred varieties
Tur-Nirmal and Daftari Seeds
Pulses should be cleaned and graded (using pre-cleaner and gravity separator). Destoned material will be preferred
Moisture: 10% maximum
Mulan/Immature Grain: maximum permissible 0.5 Kg/quintal
Payment Terms
80% of the Consignment’s total amount will be paid electronically on 2nd day of receiving of goods at unit premises by Dall Miller. 20% will be paid electronically on or before 7th day of receiving of goods.
In case of any deviation in Quality or Payment by either of the parties, ABPF and ATMA will take lead to resolve the matter amicably with complete fairness to aggrieved party.
Weighing, loading, unloading and packaging charges
Costs of Bagging material, loading, transportation, unloading will be borne by Dall Mill Owners. Bagging material can be provided by millers as per agreement with FPO.
** T&C are flexible to negotiation and agreement between miller and FPOs.
The millers too benefit in the model, in terms of receiving cleaned and graded material of their
preferred variety and specifications. Also, such arrangement removes the middlemen and
associated payable brokerage (i.e. about 3% Aadat).
Case illustration of Bengal Gram Transaction: Buyer: Dayalu Dall & Oil Mill (DDOM), Nagpur
Seller: Green Future Producer Company Ltd. (GFPCL), Amravati (supported under MACP)
Based on above mentioned Terms and Conditions, Green Futures Producer Company Ltd. supplied
170 Quintals Bengal Gram to Dayalu Dall & Oil Mill, Nagpur at the rate of Rs. 5500 per quintal.
The prevailing rate on the date in Amravati mandi was about Rs. 5250 per quintal. Hence, DDOM
paid about 4.8% higher to GFPCL (based on final negotiations). Additionally, all other costs like
Mandi Cess, transportation, bagging material, loading, unloading, etc. were borne by the miller.
5.3.2. Contract Farming
It is significant to note that Indian agriculture is not akin to Agri-business that is prevalent in US or
Europe. It is a way of life in India. As a matter of fact, private sector participation in Indian
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Agriculture is imperative so as to provide much needed impetus for growth. Viewed in this
context, contract farming in India is essential so as to promote rural self-reliance in general by
pooling local available resources and expertise to meet new challenges. It will also reduce
migrations from rural to urban areas and reduce load of procurement. It will promote processing
and value addition.
Challenges in implementing contract farming are many as success stories in a classical mould are
few. However, one cannot deny the accomplishments of a range of Indian contract farming
models in India viz. Amul, NDDB, the Maharashtra sugarcane co-ops, the rapid spread of poultry
projects etc. Few companies like Arvind Limited (Agri-business) have taken lead in contract
farming of certain pulses in some states. Notably, small parcels of land of producers, speculative
nature of prices, lack of confidence among private companies regarding compliance to contract by
producers and vice versa, lack of defined contract farming framework/policy (until recent times)
have been major reason for negligible progress on this front. This channel could, however, be
developed by strong initiatives by producer companies having large producer base and hence large
land bank. Initiatives could involve forming company’s own code of conduct and implementation,
which may instil confidence in interested private companies. Notably, mutual trust and compliance
of contract in all conditions shall create linkages for longer term. In fact, true success and rapid
spread will come with deep seated changes in mindset and policy reform.
There is, therefore, need to enact laws of contract farming to facilitate activity between corporate
and farmers. This is needed along with strengthening the overall legal frame work concerning
agriculture. In general, the land holdings have gone down and the challenge for the nation lies in
deriving direct benefit from R & D, scientific and technological innovations and knowledge
infrastructure created by agriculture scientists and corporate houses for 2 acres of land.
Diversification in agriculture to fisheries, horticulture, poultry are very important and hence
participation of private sector is crucial. It is envisaged that private participation would create better
technologies and improve marketability of agricultural produce.
In order to encourage this activity, Govt. fiscal support is a must as mentioned below.
Food processors involved in contract farming should be exempted from all taxes.
However, they should be encouraged and induced to invest in lieu in rural infrastructure and
farmer’s upliftment to the extent of tax exempted.
No taxes or duties on import of agriculture equipment should be levied.
Abolish all fees, taxes, cess, duties, levy on procurement effected by a registered contract
farming programme.
In order to ensure success of the concept not only contract farming be made legal with adequate
institutional arrangement with forward & backward linkages to enable small farmers to participate
in it. The contracts should be transparent & participatory and adequate bank finance for small and
marginal farmers should be ensured. There should be contract farmer’s associations or
cooperatives to safe guard their interest which should ensure sustainability of contract & higher
income to farmers on stable basis. Above all, strong & adequate infrastructural facilities be
provided to farmers and land use planning be suitably taken care of. Last but not the least; it may
be stressed that the contract farming could prove counterproductive, unless organized markets
exist. In any case the contract farming approach has considerable potential in the light of
preponderance of small and marginal farmers who can no larger be competitive without access to
modern technology & support.
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Private-Community Grower Group-Farmer Model
Ion Enviro undertakes contact farming with Community Grower Groups (CGG) having large acreage, on a profit-sharing basis. Farmers are trained in-house in scientific organic farm management and certification. Community Grower Groups are promoted through non-governmental-organisation or sell-help group or registered association. They follow fair trade practices wherein middlemen are eliminated, child labour is banned, men and women are given equal opportunity, and transparency in trade is maintained. In the process, they bring to rural areas the best of organic processes and water management techniques, thereby educating and empowering farmers. Production is executed in accordance with protocol requirements as per EEC 2092/91 standards. Written and documentary accounts are recorded to trace the origin, nature and quantities of raw materials procured and their usage (Ion exchange Enviro farms, 2005). The crops cultivated include Banana, Wheat, Cotton, Papaya, Pineapple, Basmati, Mango, Soybean, Tur, Black Gram, Green Gram, Tumeric, Grapes, Bengal Gram, Groundnut, Sesame and Cashew.
5.3.3. Private market yard
There are no private market yards in different clusters where gram is significantly produced.
However two major companies from Rajasthan like Star Agri Warehousing Ltd. and CGR Collateral
Management Ltd. have taken licenses to operate their warehouses as Private market Yard. CGR is
also a signatory of MoU with State Government of Rajasthan during GRAM, Kota and is keen to
work with project farmers for offering their warehouses as Private market yard near to production
centers from where farmers can store and sell their produce without going to Mandi. They are also
offering 75% loan against warehouse receipt of gram to farmers.
Development of Mega Market
An efficient agricultural marketing is essential for the development of the agricultural sector, as it
provides outlets and incentives for increased production. A well-developed marketing system
contributes greatly to the commercialization of subsistence farmers. Worldwide, Government have
recognized the importance of liberalizing agricultural markets. Government's policy has to
effectively address issues of marketing and help to overcome the constraints faced by various
organizations including private sector involved in agri-marketing. The ever increasing production,
spread of latest technologies, changing socio-economic environment, increasing demand for
downsizing the distribution chain and reducing the margin between farmers and ultimate
consumers as well as challenges emerging out of liberalization and globalization in the post WTO
period requires a vibrant, dynamic and assimilative marketing structure and system.
In this context, it may be emphasized that on account of green revolution and other research in
agricultural field, the agricultural production in the country has increased manifold and will
continue to do so in the years ahead. There is therefore all the more need and justification for
development of modern competitive marketing in the form of "Mega Markets" so that with the
provision of scientific storage, infrastructure facilities, remunerative price for products could be
ensured to the farmers. Thus production cost could be reduced, losses could be minimized and
exports could be augmented. Given the comprehensive ultramodern marketing facilities for
agricultural produce, the new concept of mega market can revolutionize the entire marketing
system and give benefit of value addition to farmers.
It is significant to note that over Rs. 50,000 crores of agricultural produce are being currently
wasted which is six times, that of the annual food subsidy of the nation. Besides Agri-processing
sector has an employment elasticity of two to four times more than that of the manufacturing
sector. It is therefore necessary to encourage and facilitate the industry to enter into direct contract
with the farmers for the procurement of their raw material by taking measures on the following
lines.
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Chapter 6-Processing Infrastructure availability and Utilization
6.1. Processing 1. Dal
The Bengal Gram is used as raw material for the production of Chana Dal. It is produced after the
gram passed through the series of processes as presented below.
Figure 7: Process flow for Dal Preparation
Pre-cleaning • Removing farm and other foreign impurities like sand, straw etc.
Fine-cleaning • Removing Stones, Gravity seperation, weevil etc.
1st Dehusking • Pitting In emery Roll to remove husk
Water treatment • Treating the grain with water and tampering
2nd Dehusking • Pitting in emery Role to remove Husk
Drying,Testing and Water treatment
• Tempering of grains
Spilting • Spilting by Impact in elevators
Polishing • Polishing dal in Polisher
Sorting • Colour Sorting
Packaging • Packaging of Dal according to requirement
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2. Besan The process flow for preparing Besan is simple process which includes cleaning, splitting and
grinding of Bengal gram to get the flour.
Figure 8: Process flow for Besan Preparation
Raw Material From Warehouse
Cleaning And Conditioning
Splitting up of Gram into Dal
Roasting of splitted Bengal Gram
Grinding (usually Khanda i.e. broken)
Sieving of grinded bengal gram
Seaving of Flour
Packing of goods
Dispatch to Warehouse
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3. Feed Figure 9: Process flow for feed preparation
The operation in the feed processing plant involves the receiving of raw materials in the plant
premises. Feed ingredients arrive in sacks, or other small containers, and in bulk.
Sacked ingredients are checked for identification and condition. They are then logged in after
segregation of drugs and medications. Sacked ingredients is then stored in a dry location with proper
protection from rodent and insect infestation. Sacked stocks are then rotated to minimize staleness,
product degradation, and insect infestation.
Bulk ingredients are handled according to their physical form. Liquid ingredients, such as oils and
molasses, are generally stored in bulk tanks. Proper storage temperature is maintained and the filter
screens are checked periodically. Solid bulk ingredients such as grains, oil meals, etc., are cleaned
with a scalper to remove foreign material prior to storage in bins. Bin temperatures are monitored to
prevent heating due to grinning respiration.
Material flow during processing includes:
particle size reduction,
premixing,
mixing,
pelleting, and
sacking
Coarse ingredients pass over a permanent magnet which removes tramp metal and then through a
hammer mill which reduces particle size to the desired screen analysis. Ground material is
monitored periodically to ensure size uniformity and to help detect wear of hammer mill screen and
hammers. The ground material is then routed to ingredient holding the bins.
There are two mixing operations in feed milling. One is for the mixing of micro-nutrients, the
operation is termed as pre-mixing. The other mixing operation involves the actual blending of all
components of the diet.
Micro-nutrients, such as vitamins and trace minerals, are accurately weighed with carrier material
which has a density approximating that of the predominant micro-ingredient. The materials are then
mixed in a batch mixer for a period of time specified by the equipment manufacturer to ensure
homogeneity. The premix is finally routed to the premix holding bin.
Diet mixing begins when augers are set in motion to deliver; the correct amounts of each ingredient
including the premix, according to the formula, into the mixer. Where manual changing of the mixer
is done, ingredients are weighed out in sacks or hopper carts. The mixing period is according to the
equipment manufacturer's specifications, but final mix is checked periodically with a tracer to ensure
homogeneity of the mix. If the mixed diet is to undergo pelleting, it is routed to the pelleting bin.
Raw Material Grinding
Mixing of Ingredients based on Protein, minerals and fat content
Pelleting (2-5% gram husk & gram powder)
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Mixed feed mash for pelleting is first conditioned with steam in the steam conditioner section of the
pellet mill, after which it enters the die where it is finally extruded. Freshly extruded pellets are hot
and contain excess moisture which is removed during passage through the cooler. Fines are then
screened from the cooled pelleted feed and returned for repeating. Fish oil, if added, is now applied
prior to the routing of the finished pellets into the packer bins.
6.2. Price build up & Marketing Efficiency Analysis
The price spread along with the share of stakeholders in consumer’s rupee spent at every stage of
the value chain starting from the farm till the retailer is detailed out in the report. The price spread
and values accrued to stakeholders across the chain reflects the profit margins accrued to different
stakeholders. Farmer shares 64.62% of the consumer’s rupee while the shares of traders, processors,
wholesalers and retailers are about 3%, 19%, 7.82% and 5.6% respectively. Over 30% of the value
accruals are accrued to processors, wholesalers and retailers. Producers’ incomes are apparently
dependent on yield as well as their dependency on the type of end product (eg. Dal, besan, etc.).
Here in the existing value chain of Bengal gram, the price build up has been calculated for the
important first channel where the target consumers are urban households and institutional buyers.
The product considered is chana dal.
Typically farmers sell the raw gram at about Rs 5000 per quintal to traders. In the local mandis, it
was sold by traders to the processors at Rs 5230 per quintal (with commission about 3% and cess of
1.6%). The processors, upon primary and secondary value addition, sell it to wholesalers at Rs 6700
(gross margin about 28%). Thereafter the wholesale and retail prices are set up at Rs 7035 per
quintal and 7738 per quintal with a gross margin of 5% and 10% respectively. Due to limited
infrastructure facilities at the dispersal of various stakeholders, marketing efficiency is adversely
affected.
6.3. Stakeholder’s Share in Consumer Rupee
The price spread along with margin at every stage of the value chain starting from the farmer till to
the retailer is presented in the table below.
Table 23 Price spread table of Bengal gram
Activity Value per Quintal (Rs.) Stakeholder's share in
Consumer's Rupee (%)
Retailing: Sale by retailer to consumer
About Rs. 7738 per quintal which makes a profit margin of 10%
Retailers 5.6%
Wholesaling: Sale by wholesalers to retailers
Rs. 7035 per quintal with a margin of 5% Wholesalers 7.82%
Processing: Sale after processing to wholesalers
Rs. 6700 per quintal (Gross value on sale with net profit margin in processing 2-3%)
Processors 19%
APMC: Sale upon trading at the mandi
Rs. 5,230 per quintal (Gross value on sale from Mandi)
Traders 2.97%
Production: Cost of production is Rs. 25350 per hectare; Rs. 2897
Rs. 5,000 per quintal (Gross value accrual to producers after cultivation costs is Rs. 2103 per Quintal)
Farmers 64.62%
The existence of a long chain of middle men including the APMC and related commission agents, producers share in consumers’ rupee is adversely affected. This mirrors the need for promotion of contract farming options eliminating/minimising the role of the APMC. However, the limitations in contract farming policy & statutes merit correction.
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6.4. Consumer preference Analysis
Rajasthan’s population in rural and semi urban areas prefer properly cleaned and processed
unpolished dal and besan. In urban areas branded dal (polished/unpolished and color sorted) and
branded besan are more preferred. In some food retail centers in shopping malls in Jaipur, more
prominent brands of dals and besan like Tata I-Shakti, Fortune, Reliance, Shakti bhog, Rajdhani, etc
were more visible on shelves. However, some local brands were also available in these retail chains
and equally popular in small retail shops. Some of these brands included ‘AgroPure’ promoted by
AgroPure Group (NCR), ‘Shri Balaji’ promoted by Shri Balaji Dall Mill (Rajasthan), ‘Gangaur Besan’
promoted by Mantri Agro Industries (Rajasthan). Some organic dal and besan brands were also
available.
Bengal gram/Chickpeas is generally processed and sold as Whole (Cleaned and Graded) Chana or Chana Dal. Chana dal is an important product in market segment and is a preferred type of dal among all segments of society in Rajasthan and other parts of the country. Whole chana too is a preferred food product in Indian households and used to make Chana Fried or 'Chana Masala" and even consumed in sprouted form. Whole chana has applications in some international dishes like "Hummus" which is prepared with combination of grounded chana, olive oil, tahini (i.e. ground sesame seeds), lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Khanda or broken (by-product in dal milling) is generally processed for production of Gram Flour (Besan). Chunni (powder) and Bhusi (outer husk), again both by-products of dal milling are high source of protein and fibre and are sold to cattle rearers and feed production units.
Besan is a popular flour and a mainstay ingredient in large number of popular Indian snack products
like Bikaneri bhujiya, chaklis, etc. In this context, brand equity is also critical in the market (eg.
Haldiram's). Besan is used as ingredient in many curries too.
There lies large scope of advanced level innovation and development of products like low fat-high
protein biscuits/crackers, nutrition bars, pasta noodles, etc.
In terms of FPC’s marketing operations, targeted market could involve a mix of dal millers and other processors, large retailers, Institutional Sales (through NAFED, SFAC, etc), Besan Millers, Feed millers, Poultry farms, and also retail consumers.
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 48
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Chapter 7: Existing Institutional support and infrastructure facility
7.1. Support at cultivation stage
A range of support institutions support value chain activities as described below:
1. KVK- Application of technology/products through assessment, refinement and
demonstration for adoption. To achieve the mandate effectively, the following activities are
envisaged for each KVK:
On-farm testing to identify the location specificity of agricultural technologies under various
farming systems.
Frontline demonstrations to establish its production potentials on the farmers’ fields.
Training of farmers and extension personnel to update their knowledge and skills in
modern agricultural technologies.
Work as resource and knowledge centre of agricultural technologies for supporting
initiatives of public, private and voluntary sector for improving the agricultural economy of
the district.
Produce and make available technological products like seed, planting material, bio agents,
young ones of livestock etc. to the farmers
Organize extension activities to create awareness about improved agricultural technologies to
facilitate fast diffusion and adoption of technologies in agriculture and allied sectors.15
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar
To realize their true potential, farmers must have access to the state-of-the-art technologies,
necessary inputs and related information. In this context, the Government of India through Indian
Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established a large network of over 600 Krishi Vigyan
Kendras (KVKs) across the country with an aim to conduct technology assessment and refinement,
knowledge dissemination and provide critical input support for the farmers with a multidisciplinary
approach.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farm Science Centre), an innovative science based institutions, were
established mainly to impart vocational training to the farmers and field level extension workers.
The concept of vocational training in agriculture through KVK grew substantially due to greater
demand for improved agricultural technology by the farmers. They not only required knowledge and
understanding of the intricacy of technologies, but also progressively more and more skills in
15
http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/kvk/kvk_intro.html(retrieved on 6th April 2017)
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various complex agricultural operations for adoption on their farms. The effectiveness of the KVK
was further enhanced by adding the activities related to on-farm testing and Front-Line
Demonstration on major agricultural technologies in order to make the training of farmers’ location
specific, need based and resource-oriented.
KVKs are playing a proactive role in transferring new technology at field level with beneficial
impacts. They have an edge in technology transfer over other service providers by virtue of their
having better technical expertise and demonstration units.
2. India Meteorological Department
The service is provided by the India Meteorological Department, under the Ministry of Earth
Sciences of Government of India. The IMD has set up nine agromet field units (AMFU) in the
state. After these units get the forecast, they prepare agro advisory with the help of experts. This
advisory is sent to IMD where the bulletin is composed and then disseminated to farmers through
SMS, radio, newspapers and other means.
7.1.1. Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Rajasthan:
The department has various verticals through which it supports production, productivity and market
linkage in the state. It has a well-established structure and network of State/District and panchayat
level officials to provide extension services to farmers. The department issues licenses to various
agri-input marketing companies including seeds, fertilizers and insecticides and ensures quality
assurance to farmers through regular reporting from suppliers and random quality checks of agri
inputs. The licenses are issued first at the State level by registering input/service providers. The
registered companies can only supply inputs to district and regional level distributors who in turn
make availability of the products at the retailers. All handlers of agri inputs and produce have to take
license from competent authority either at district or state level. Similarly, the department also issues
mandi licenses for traders at different APMCs for trading in specific commodities. The same are
described below.
A. Extension vertical:
Extension support: The extension wing recommends good agricultural practices for various crops as per various agro-economic zones, promotes seed replacement through distribution of Minikits containing improved variety of seeds. It also provides grant support of upto 50 percent of the price of notified varieties of gram of less than 10 years or Rs 1500 per quin whichever is less. For hybrid varieties subsidy is - 50% of the price of seeds notified for less than 10 years or Rs 5000 per quintal whichever is less. The department also provides upto 50% subsidy on micro-nutrient (50% of total cost or upto Rs 500/ha) and bio-fertilizer application (50% of total cost or Rs 300/ha) under various schemes viz. National Agriculture Development Scheme/ National Composite Safety Mission/ National Food Security Mission. The application can be submitted to the office of Agriculture Supervisor-Asst. Agriculture Officer/ Asst. Director (Extn.)/ Dy. Director (Extension) by eligible farmers at Panchayat/Sub-district and District level respectively. Under the head “Subsidy on Crop Demonstrations”, subsidy upto Rs 5000/ha is available for gram cultivation through flagship programs like State Plan/NFSM.
District level farmer help desk: Under this head, farmer help line are established at district level with nominated district level officials from the office of Dy. Director, Agriculture Extension to support farmers on various farming related problems. Apart from this, a state level help desk is also maintained whose telephone no is 0141-5102578
Agriculture information dissemination: At the state level, technical dissemination is being done through the daily newspapers, agricultural papers, monthly publication of "Kheti Ri
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Bataan” bulletin is also being done. Apart from this, information about advanced agricultural methods of major crops during crop season, publishing posters, agricultural guides on various topics, and Rabi / Kharif package of practice books at the block level and farmers, people's representatives and farmers by producing farmer friendly literature. Is being distributed to the institutions related to. From day-to-day basis to all the radio stations of the state, from 7.45 to 8.15, share the information related to farming and phone in these programs is being broadcast on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The program is being sponsored by the Department of Agriculture on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for three days a week. "Farming" program on Doordarshan- produced by the Agriculture Department, is broadcast from Doordarshan Kendra, Jaipur on every Thursday from 7.30 am to 8.00 pm. In this program, information about departmental schemes / programs being executed by the Agriculture Department, discussions with experts, problem-solving, confusion-solving, fortnightly work, message, success stories, innovation, short films, eclipse etc. The tax program is made simple, interesting and farm-making. The technical information on agriculture and related subjects to the farmers has been done by the Indian government to provide "Kisan Call Centre" in the state through telephone. Farmers can get any kind of information related to farming by making free calls to phone number 1800 180 1551/1551, from basic / mobile telephone to 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm.
Water use efficiency promotion: Under the Farm Pond Program, rain water harvesting is promoted with the provisioning of 50% subsidy or maximum amount of Rs 52,000/- on raw farm pond and Rs 75,000/- on farm pond with plastic lining whichever is less. This scheme is available under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
For Dighi construction (under National Agriculture Development Scheme/RKVY), 50% of the unit cost or 350 / - per cubic meter filling capacity and 50% of the cost of the unit cost, on the construction of plastic lining (raw) diggings, by constructing a minimum of 4.00 lakh liters of Filler capacity and more than 50% of the unit cost. The amount of rupees 100 / - per cubic meter will be filled up or maximum Rs 2.00 lakh, whichever is less the grant will be payable.
For Water House construction under the national Agriculture Development Scheme, support is provided for areas where deep water is used for irrigation. For constructing a minimum of one lakh liters of Fill Capacity water shed Houz for all categories of farmers, 50 percent of the unit cost or Rs. 350 / - per cubic meter fill capacity or maximum Rs. 75000 / - whichever is less is the subsidy element.
Under the irrigation pipeline head (of National Agricultural Development Plan, National Food Security Mission, NMOP) water use efficiency is promoted for irrigation water. Under this scheme, PVC / HDPE of prescribed size for carrying water from source to farm on irrigation pipeline is supported. On the purchase of pipes, the farmers of all categories are given 50 percent of the cost or maximum amount Rs. 50 / - per meter on HDPE pipes or Rs. 35 / - per meter on PVC pipe or Rs. The maximum amount of Rs.15000 / - on the 20 / - per meter HDPE laminated le-flat tub pipe will be payable, whichever is less proportionate.
Under the Fountain Irrigation program through National Food Security Mission; Pulses and Wheat - Under the Fountain Irrigation Program, subsidy is 50% or the amount is Rs. 10000 / - per ha, whichever is less.
Under the Mobile Raingun support program, for irrigation of grains and pulses crops, subsidy of 50 percent of the cost under the Mobile Renganization program or Rs.15000 / - per unit whichever is less, grant is payable. This subsidy is available under the NFSM scheme
Agricultural equipment grant distribution program: Grants upto 40 to 50 per cent are given as per the category of farmers on the purchase of approved agricultural machinery viz. Seed cum Fertilizer Drill, Plow, Threser etc.
Gypsum distribution program: 50% Subsidy is given to farmers on district wise rate of Gypsum for maximum area of 2 hectares. This support is for soil reclamation of alkali soils.
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Plant protection inputs: Segment, viz. Plant Protection Chemicals / Bio Agents / Bio Pesticides / Pheromone Trap / Liyos Distribution, including weeds in crops; 50% of the price or Rs. 500 any less per hectare is payable as subsidy.
Plan Protection equipments segment: Human transport * (napsek, foot sprayer, duster etc.) are given 40-50 percent of the cost or maximum 600-800 / - Per device as subsidy. Under Power Drivesegment * (Nepasek Power Sprayer) are given 50-60 percent of the price or maximum 3000-3800 / - Per device. For tractor mounted sprayers, 50% of the price or Rs 10,000 per device is subsidized. These schemes are as per targets allotted for respective districts.
Assistance for area specific integrated farming systems like livestock based, horticulture based and tree based farming systems: Assistance is provided for farmers of selected village/cluster having land from 0.25 to 2 ha area per farmer. It is implemented on cluster basis with 100 ha of land. Subsidy applicable is: 50% of cost or 52500/-for farm pond, 50% of cost or 468/-per SQM for green house, 50% of cost or 30/- per SQM for low tunnel, 40% of cost or 800/-per colony for bee keeping, 50% of cost or 15000/-for diesel pump, 50% of cost or 50000/-for vermicompost unit Pucca @ 125/ per cubic ft, 50% of cost or 8000/-for HDPE vermi bed
Organic production: Organic gram also has a great potential. For support under the head, Promotion of Organic Farming, subsidies are available for heads like Conversion of land Cropping systems and organic seeds, traditional organic input production unit, botanical extracts production unit, use of phosphate rich organic manure, construction of vermin-compost pit, use of liquid bio fertilizer and support for packing labelling and branding material support are subsidized for consecutive two years at a rate specified in the manual.
Prime-minister Crop insurance scheme: Farmer have to pay 2% of insured amount in Kharif, 1.5% of insured amount in Rabi and 5% of insured amount in horticulture & commercial crops, subject to maximum of 7 hectares per farmer. Rest of the premium amount will be borne by central and state government in equal ratio. Beyond 7 hectares, farmer has to pay whole premium amount, i.e. without any subsidy.
Soil health card: Under this, component, district level soil and water testing labs support farmers on soil testing and providing soil health card for integrated nutrient management.
B. Rajasthan State Seed Production and Certification agency helps in ensuring production of certified seeds for farmers. The department is mandated to; Recognize varieties eligible for Seed Certification and annually publish lists indicating the names of such varieties, Maintain a list of sources of Breeder & Foundation seeds approved by the Central Seed Certification Board, Outline the procedure for submission of application for growing, harvesting, processing, labelling and tagging of seeds intended for certification, Undertake inspection of seed fields, seed processing plants and lots in accordance with the procedures outlined by the Central Seed Certification Board in accordance with Indian minimum seed certification standard (IMSCS), Regulate the processing of seeds at seed processing units and Ensure that the seeds certified by it conforms to the standards prescribed by the Central Seed Certification Board. Thus the department ensures availability of quality seeds for growers.
C. Rajasthan State Seeds Corporation helps availability of quality seeds at affordable prices through the cooperative network and private distributorship channel under the trade name “Raj Seeds”. During Rabi and Kharif seasons Rajseeds are made available at the door steps of the farmers through Beej raths operating at almost every panchayat samitee of the state.
D. Rajasthan Kisan aayog (Rajasthan State farmer Commission): It is mandated to Investigate and review of agriculture and allied sectors, keeping in mind the economic ecology and environment for sustainable development of agriculture and To inform the State Government for taking necessary measures to solve timely problems of agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries, so that farmers can be protected against difficult situations, Talk to
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different farming organizations / associations to make the government aware of their demands and suggestions and To bring the difference in demand and supply to the attention of the State Government, so that its adverse effects are not on the peasantry.
E. State Agricultural Management institute (SIAM), Durgapura Jaipur: The institute is mandated to organize training programmes on functional areas of Agriculture and its allied sector namely; Induction courses on fresh recruitees, Refresher courses for in service officials, Crop production technologies, Management of Technology and Input, Irrigation Management, Dry land Farming, Crop Economics, Extension technique, Communication skills, National Workshop / Seminars etc.
F. Agricultural Conservation Testing Centres (ATCs): The department of Agriculture has ten ATCs who are mandated to find out the usefulness of the research recommendations received from the agricultural research centres under the agricultural universities of the state in various agricultural and regional conditions and local conditions and to amend the tests in the research recommendations according to local conditions. On the basis of the tests, preparations of agricultural climatic package of practice and amendment of the advanced agricultural methods are amended. Apart from this, the agri-certified testing centres also solve the technical problems in the day-to-day work of the extension workers.
7.1.2. ICAR and allied institutions:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. The Council is the apex body for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country. With 101 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across the country this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world. The ICAR has played a pioneering role in ushering Green Revolution and subsequent developments in agriculture in India through its research and technology development that has enabled the country to increase the production of food grains by 5 times, horticultural crops by 9.5 times, fish by 12.5 times, milk 7.8 times and eggs 39 times since 1951 to 2014, thus making a visible impact on the national food and nutritional security. It has played a major role in promoting excellence in higher education in agriculture. It is engaged in cutting edge areas of science and technology development and its scientists are internationally acknowledged in their fields.
State Agriculture Universities (SAUs):
The state four major Agriculture Universities namely;
1. Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner,
2. Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur,
3. Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner,
4. Agriculture University, Kota and affiliated colleges who contribute to research, education, training and knowledge dissemination on agriculture technology.
The Agriculture Universities also provide research and extension support through attached Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Agriculture Research Stations.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras:
The State has 42 Krishi Vigyan Kendras affiliated through ICAR. The mandate of the KVKs is to:
1. Organize Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) to establish production potential of various crops and enterprises on farmer’s field (Facilitate technology dissemination from Lab to field)
2. To conduct on farm testing to identify the location specificity of agricultural techniques under various farming systems,
3. Organize need based training to farmers on agri and allied activities,
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4. Production and supply of good quality seeds and planting materials and various farming products to the farming community and
5. Work as resource centre of agricultural technology for supporting initiatives of private, public and voluntary sector for improving agricultural economy of the district. The KVKs also offer soil testing facilities to farmers.
Agriculture Research Stations:
Apart from the above, there are several agriculture research stations and sub-stations attached to the universities to undertake research/trial and demonstration of agriculture technologies.
7.1.3. Credit facilities:
Agricultural credit facilities in the state has both formal and informal sources. Under the formal sources, various banks are extending credit facility at subsidized interest rates under KCC schemes for farmers having land title. The Gram Seva Sahakari Samitis run by Cooperative Department also extends crop loans to farmers. However, as many farmers live in hindu-undivided families, i.e. land title is still with father and sons undertake farming in their share of land as mutually agreed in the village panchayat. In such cases, getting a formal source of crop loan is difficult. Hence many farmers resort to informal sources of loans from village level money lenders at exorbitant rates and exploit them later by forcing to supply the produce also through the money lenders.
7.1.4. Agri input availability:
A number of input service providers (in seeds, fertilisers and pesticides) operate in the important gram producing clusters. They are registered through the office of Dy. Director, Agriculture Extn. of respective districts.
7.2. Support at post-harvest stage
Following are the major support institutions for post-harvest handling of agriculture produce in the state.
A. Department of Agriculture marketing (DAM): The department offers upto 50% subsidy on various sorting/grading machines as specified in the circular dated 19/07/2017.
B. Post-harvest storage: Department of Agriculture provides subsidy for metal storage bins to farmers. Apart from this, following storage infrastructure is available in the state.
Rural Godowns: There are 139 rural godowns in Rajasthan which stores mustard, gram, wheat, bajra, gaur, soybean, groundnut etc. The list of godowns in Rajasthan that store chana is attached in Annexure-5
Central Warehousing Corporation: The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) is the largest public sector warehouse operator with their godowns established in almost all the states of the country. At present, CWC have already established and operating more than 450 warehouses with a capacity of 93.25 lakh tonnes (as on 29/02/2004). These are scientifically constructed warehouses which facilitate the farmers to store their produce safely and to derive the benefit of pledge finance during the period of glut situation in the markets. (Annexure - 2 List out CWCs in Rajasthan)
State Warehousing Corporation State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs) were established in different states under the purview of concerned state governments and constructed godowns at distant places. The total share capital of SWCs is contributed equally by CWC and concerned state governments and SWCs under dual control. The SWCs also provide storage facilities for green gram. (Annexure – 3 Lists of SWCs in Rajasthan)
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C. Market information through Agmarknet:
The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI), an attached Office of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, was set up in the year 1935 to implement the agricultural marketing policies and programmes for the integrated development of marketing of agricultural and other allied produce in the country with a view to safeguard the interests of farmers as well as the consumers. It maintains a close liaison between the Central and the State Governments.
The Directorate is headed by Agriculture Marketing Adviser to Government of India and has its Head Office at Faridabad (Haryana), Branch Head Office at Nagpur (Maharashtra) and 11 Regional Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhopal, Kochi and Guwahati and the Central Agmark Laboratory at Nagpur16
D. Support on agri produce marketing through APMCs:
The state has 136 Krishi upaz mandi samitis (KUMS) and 310 market sub yards for trade of agriculture commodities. These APMCs are intended to be responsible for:
Ensuring transparency in pricing system and transactions taking place in market area;
Providing market-led extension services to farmers;
Ensuring payment for agricultural produce sold by farmers on the same day;
Promoting agricultural processing including activities for value addition in agricultural produce;
Publicizing data on arrivals and rates of agricultural produce brought into the market area for sale; and setup and promote public private partnership in the management of agricultural markets
E. Support on post-harvest value addition: The Farm Gate Agro processing and Agri-marketing scheme of Govt. of Rajasthan has provisioning for subsidy upto Rs 20 lakh for a sorting/grading/ value addition project of Rs 50 lakh. Ministry of Food Processing, Govt. of India also has a scheme in the name of Kisan Sampada (Backward & forward linkage scheme) through which there is a provisioning of 35% subsidy for Farmers/Farmer Groups for establishing value addition facility for Agri produce. Schemes specific to Bengal Gram Price Support Scheme (PSS)
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd., (NAFED), Nafed House, Sidhartha Enclave, New Delhi-1100014
NAFED is the nodal agency of Government of India to undertake procurement of Bengal gram under price support scheme.
The objective of scheme is to provide regular marketing support to sustain and improve the production of Bengal gram.
Purchases under PSS are undertaken when the prices of Bengal gram come below the declared support price for the year.
India Meteorological Department: The service is provided by the India Meteorological Department, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences of Government of India. The IMD has set up nine agromet field units (AMFU) in the state. After these units get the forecast, they prepare agro advisory with the help of the experts. This advisory is sent to IMD where the bulletin is composed and then disseminated to farmers through SMS, radio, newspapers and other means.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a Tata Group’s information and technology firm created a customizable Mobile Agro Advisory System called mKrishi that would address farmers’ specific
16
Agmarknet (http://agmarknet.gov.in/) (retrieved on April 9,2017)
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queries in real time. The name mKrishi combines “m” for mobile and “krishi,” which refers to agriculture in many Indian languages.
Agmark app, Myagriguru are some other applications that is helping farmers in getting updated market rates, weather report etc.
CFTRI, Mysore: CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, abbreviated to CSIR-CFTRI, is one of the 40 national research laboratories in India, set up under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The institute is engaged in research in the production and handling of grains, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry. The institute develops technologies to increase efficiency and reduce postharvest losses, add convenience, increase export, find new sources of food products, integrate human resources in food industries, reduce costs, and modernize.
Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur: IIPR is a government institute in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. It was established in the year 1983 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to carry out basic strategic and applied research on major pulse crops. The Institute develops appropriate production and protection technologies, production and supply of breeder seeds of improved varieties, demonstration and transfer of technologies and strategic coordination of pulse research through wide network of testing centers across the country.
The Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development (ISPRD), Kanpur: ISPRD was founded in 1987 with its headquarters at the Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur to promote research and development on pulses (chickpea, pigeonpea, mung bean, urd bean, lentils, lathyrus, rajmash & pea and some other major & minor food legumes such as soyabean, groundnut, cluster bean, cow pea, horse gram, moth bean & the like) establish close association among pulse workers and dissemination of research results by publishing a quarterly periodical "Journal of Food Legumes".
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Chapter 8: Gap & Constraint Analysis
8.1. As Perceived by Producers and Other Stakeholders
Producer Case Illustration
Bengal gram
Following is an illustration of a typical farmer in Bhadu village (Bikaner) with about 1 hectare land
under Bengal gram cultivation as single harvest. The gross yield per is 8.75 quintals per hectare.
The market price on sale is about Rs. 5000 per quintal or Rs. 43750 per hectare. The cost of
cultivation is about Rs. 25350 per hectares. Out of this about Rs. 3750 is cost of land preparation,
seed cost is about Rs. 9600, fertilizer and pesticide cost is about Rs. 1250, plant treatment and
sowing cost add up to Rs. 2750, weeding related (labour cost) is about Rs. 2000 and harvesting
and threshing cost is about Rs. 5000. Packing cost is Rs. about Rs. 500 per hectare of produce.
Transportation cost to mandi is about Rs. 500 - all totalling to around Rs. 25350 for total 1
hectare of gram cultivation. Net realization per acre is about Rs. 18400 per hectares or Rs. 2103
per Quintal. There seems to be dearth of warehousing facilities in the region. Farmers in the
region procure seeds, fertilizers and pesticides from co-operative societies and local shops at
Bhadu. The price fluctuation in output, in a single year, is sometimes even over 20 percent.
Critical Constraints:
• Fungal and pest attack during the cultivation.
• Occasionally, due to relatively lower prices prevailing in mandis in close proximity, farmers are forced to transport produce to distant mandis.
• Although producers are successful in storing gram throughout the year, they follow the
traditional methods of storage and grading rather than modern and scientifically proven
methods.
• They do not have any centralized place/facility to store gram at the village level.
• The risk of storage is high, as pest / moisture may lead to damages.
Based upon the critical constraints discussed with the farmers, who are the key
stakeholders of the entire gram value Chain, different areas of intervention pre-harvest
and post-harvest stage have been suggested in the section 9.1.
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Discussion with Farmers at Hirawati, Ladnu by ABPF Consultants
Processor Case Illustration
“Rasna food product” is one of the largest chana dal processor of district Pratapgarh which
processes Bengal gram into chana dal. Mr. Shubhendu Ghiya is the owner and also the president
of Vyapar Sangh.
Bengal gram is procured by the firm in the range of Rs.4800 to Rs.5200 per quintal. Rasna Food
Products has milling capacity of 12 tons per day. On an average, the firm sells chana dal in the
range of Rs.6700-6900 per quintal. Dal is generally packed in PP bags of 50 kg capacity.
In terms of procurement of raw material, March to May is the peak months, however firm
procures during other months as well. Majority of procurement is done from
Pratapgarh,Neemuch, Nimbhahera APMCs. The firm also sells its by-products; i.e. broken
(khanda) and gram powder (chunni) and husk (bhusi) to traders/ other processors for further
value addition. Primarily, broken (khanda) is used for production of Besan (gram flour). As per
Mr. Ghiya, the output of Dal (or recovery of Dal) during processing is 75 percent, of brokens is 7
percent and 18 percent in case of chunni and bhusi. Chunni and Bhusi are largely sold to animal
feed production units. In general, Khanda sells at Rs.20-25 per kg.
As per Mr. Ghiya, Chana dal from Pratapgarh is lesser recognized despite its uniqueness. There is
large scope of effectively marketing scheme. He also expressed that several government
interventions could help propel growth of millers and farmers in the region. These may include
reduced tax liability as processors, lower power of tariff and availing of regular power to milk,
regulation as speculation and encouraging direct procurement from farmers. Mr. Ghiya also
expressed his interest to register for direct procurement license which will enable his firm to
directly procure from FPOs.
Rasna Food Products has got all the necessary license and registrations like FSSAI, APMC Mandi
license and DIC registrations. It has an annual turnover of Rs. 20 crore with profit margin of
about 2%. It sells processed dal in Rajasthan, MP and New Delhi.
The constraints such typical processor faces in this trade are-
1- Despite being agro processing activity, there are no priority sector benefits/incentives
2- Regular Power cuts reduce the production capacity.
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3- Fluctuating commodity prices
4- Competitive market force to compromise on quality.
Competitive Edge-
Right combination of personnel, machines-the total operating system
Reputation based on quality, reliability, integrity and complete understanding of the
market dynamics
Prompt deliveries and customer satisfaction--our top priority
Adoption of stringent quality control measures at each and every stage of production
Trust and support of a large number of satisfied clients
Detailed attention to the valuable feedback and suggestions of clients.
8.2. SWOT Analysis of the Pre-intervention Value Chain
Strength Weakness
India is the largest producer of Bengal Gram in the world and accounts for around 70% of the global production.
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra are major cultivators of Bengal gram in India.
Chickpea/kabuli chana is also traded as whole after undertaking cleaning and grading
Sprouted seeds of Bengal gram are recommended for curing scurvy. Malica and Oxalic acids collected from green leaves are prescribed for intestinal disorders. Gram seeds contain a higher percentage of oil (4-5%) than other pulses.
It also has unique characteristic of maintaining and restoring soil fertility.
Chick peas serve as energy and protein source in animal feed and thus making its demand high in the feed industry.
As against difficult to mill varieties like Pigeonpea or Mungbean, Chickpea is an easy to mill variety of pulse. De-husking of chickpea, as a matter of fact, does not require application of oil for loosening of husk.
Products (split dal) and even By-products (broken, husk and powder) of Chickpea milling are used for processing of popular products like Gram Flour (Besan; one of the main ingredient of famous Bikaneri bhujiya and many other delicacies) and animal feed.
Chickpeas also offer higher protein content than other pulses (except red lentils)
Nearly 9.5 % of post-harvest losses are accounted in Bengal gram
Shortage/surplus production, coupled with imports level, make the prices of chickpea unstable which obviously affects producers and consumers both.
The production of the crop is seasonal, but its demand remains for a longer period. Thus, storage facilities are essentially required but not adequately available. Due to inadequate infrastructural facilities with producers, traders, millers and at market level results in marketing inefficiencies
Limited processing units for Bengal gram and its by-products such as Bengal gram dal units, roasted Bengal gram units, etc.
Inadequate grading & sorting facilities.
Large number of intermediaries in the chain leads to low income to producers.
No grading at farm level
Obsolete techniques/technologies are used in processing, which reduces the output.
Lack of market information regarding prevailing prices, arrivals etc. force farmers to sell in the village itself.
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Opportunity Threat
Scope for tie up of FPOs through CFC with firms like Patanjali, Ashirwad, Ruchi global, LDM Agro, etc.
Scope for tie up of FPOs through CFC with dal mill associations/MSME firms
Scope for tie up of FPOs through CFC with housing societies in urban areas and retail outlets
Scope for facilitation of start-ups amongst FPOs or individual entrepreneurs, in secondary processing of value added products of Bengal gram like dal, flour, snacks, animal feed, etc.
Scope for the establishment of quality sorting and grading facilities by FPOs as part of Farmers Common Service Centre (FCSC), along with facilities for packaging and vehicle to facilitate transportation.
Scope for establishment of storage facilities by FPO as a part of FCSC.
Promote good agricultural practices with regard to planting, harvesting, use of inputs, disease management, pest control, etc. through FCSC
FPOs to undertake joint input sourcing activities for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. under the umbrella of CFC
FPOs to undertake custom hiring services and hence lead farm mechanisation through CFC
Large Scope of advanced level innovation and development of products like low fat-high protein biscuits/crackers, nutrition bars, pasta, etc.
Large scope of contract farming, buyback contracts and participation in tenders, etc.
Adverse climatic conditions can impact the crop production and productivity
Abrupt or less rainfall during various developmental stages of Bengal gram may reduce production or cause pest/disease attack.
Taxation related policies (for example – proposed 5% GST on branded goods) liberal imports, etc. affects the price level.
Lower prices in international markets may lead to higher imports by processors, also possible creation of deflationary trend in domestic markets.
Processors operate on low profit margins and are also exposed to high speculation of prices in market, also increasing the probability of sickness.
8.3. Key constraints in Bengal Gram crop
The constraints observed under various value chain crops in the cluster are divided under from different categories, viz Production related constraints, Post-Harvest related constraints and Processing and market infrastructure related constraints.
8.3.1. Production related constraints
Fluctuation in prices of seeds or other inputs: Producers often face increase in cost of production of Bengal Gram due to fluctuation in price of seeds.
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Training of producer: Farmers are not trained in the marketing system and lack knowledge about standard specifications and prevailing prices in mandis in vicinity as well as other key mandis. Proper training will improve their skill for better marketing of their produce. They should be trained on AGMARK standards, how to get market information and factors on which prices are determined. For e.g. size, shape, colour, moisture in grains.
Unfavourable temperature/rains during harvest: Over ripening may lead to fall of pods as well as shattering and seed cracking if seed moisture falls below 10% due to delay in harvesting. Untimely and unfavorable rains before harvest may also lead to late harvest and also damage crop.
8.3.2. Post-Harvest related constraints
Non-Mechanized Harvesting: Non-mechanized harvesting often leads to some percentage of post harvest losses due to manual handling procedures.
There is also lack of Primary processing facility except sun drying in Bengal Gram at farm level. Cost of transportation of carrying crops to market is very high.
Inadequate storage facilities in rural areas: Storage facilities in villages are found to be inadequate which contributes leads to distress sale. Due to lack of storage facilities, substantial quantity of commodity is also lost. Many farmers also have to resort to distress sale due to lack of storage facilities in proximity.
Transportation facilities at producers’ level: Due to inadequate facilities of transportation at the village level, producers are forced to sell Grain and pulses in the village itself to itinerant merchants or traders directly at low prices. Aggregation and negotiation with buyers is only possible if farmers have volume to trade and transport up to procurement centre.
8.3.3. Processing and market infrastructure related constraints
Major units of Bengal Gram processing are available at Bikaner city which deal in Primary & Secondary processing.
Traditional system of marketing: In the cluster, there is an absence of alternate channels of marketing. So farmers typically sell only through APMCs or village level traders.
Lack of market intelligence services: Farmers do not receive information on market prices. Some farmers sell crops through village level traders, because due to which they are not realising fair price.
Lack of primary processing infrastructure:
i. There is a non-availability of facilities for primary processing: cleaning, grading & sorting at the farm level.
ii. There is no practice and provision of producer level storage.
iii. There is acute lack of awareness among farmers regarding FAQ (Fair Average Quality) standards.
iv. Farmers do not practice the usage of basic equipment like moisture meter and weighing machine.
Distant markets: The nearest market from the cluster is the Kheruwala APMC that is 55 kms away. This leads to farm gate selling where farmers receive non-competitive prices for their produce.
Fluctuations in prices: Generally, the price of Bengal Gram goes down in the post-harvest period due to heavy arrivals in the market and later shoots up. Farmers in the catchment area do not have storage facility to store and they also don’t use a warehouse receipt system.
Lack of marketing information: Due to a lack of market information regarding prevailing prices, arrivals etc., most of the producers’ market grains and pulses in the Kheruwala Mandi without studying the price trends.
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Adoption of grading: Grading of Bengal gram and Green gram at the producers’ level ensures better prices to producers and better quality to consumers. At present there is no infrastructure available at the farmers’ level for primary processing.
Malpractices in markets: Many malpractices prevail in the markets of gram i.e. incorrect weighing, delay in payments, high commission charges, delay in weighing and auction, different kinds of arbitrary deductions for religious and charitable purposes etc.
Infrastructure facilities: Due to inadequate infrastructural facilities available with the producers, traders, millers and at market level, the marketing efficiency is affected adversely.
Long Supply Chain: The existence of a long chain of middlemen also reduces the producer’s share in consumer’s rupee.
8.3.4. Agri business policy related constraints
Contract farming: Rajasthan has adopted a model APMC Act, 2007. In Rajasthan Contract
farming of desired variety and quantity as per buyer’s/processor’s need, has been allowed.
Buyer/processors may supply inputs and technical know-how and farmers may produce the crop
for sale to buyers at an agreed price. However, this price shall not be lower than minimum
support price and title of land shall remain with farmer. Produce will be purchased at
buyer/processor’s business/factory place. But processors found less interested in registering
under contract farming. Team ABPF discussed contract farming issues with some of the
processors and related challenges are given below:
i. Rule 5 – Each agreement shall be written on stamp paper of the value of Rs.100. This
increases cost of procurement and procurement time.
ii. Rule 9 – Separate registration form shall be filled for each agreement. Large amount of paper
work can be reduced by group registrations or procurement directly from FPCs.
iii. Rule 17-In case the contract farming buyer fails or refuses to purchase the agreed quantity of
the agriculture produce from the contract farming producer, he is to pay the amount of the
difference between the agreed price and the actual sale price of the contracted produce in the
market committee concerned to the producer. Mutual termination of contract should be
allowed.
iv. Rule 19 – The contract farming buyer need furnish an undertaking equal to 20% of the value
of the contracted amount. This amount can be reduced and this will motivate big players to
participate in contract farming.
8.4. PIESTEC Framework
Bengal Gram can be summarily considered within the adapted PIESTEC framework as follows:
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8.5. Impact of GST over Bengal Gram value chain:
The Goods and Services Tax is one indirect tax for the whole nation. GST is a single tax on the supply of goods and services, right from the manufacturer to the consumer. It will be levied at every stage of the product distribution chain by giving the benefit of Input Tax Credit (ITC) of the tax remitted in the previous stages. Therefore, the final consumer will bear only the GST charged by the last dealer in the supply chain, with set-off benefits at all previous stages. GST will replace all Central level taxes such as excise, service tax, custom duty as well as state level taxes like VAT, CST, entertainment tax among others.
Table 24: Tax Structure
Transaction New Regime Old Regime Remarks
Sale within the state CGST+SGST VAT+ Central Excise/Service tax
Revenue will be shared equally between the Centre and the State
Political
• Legislation required for FPC Formation
Institutional
• FPC model to be developed for strengthening farmers' cause
• KVKs/State institutions to facilitate supply of inputs viz. HYV seeds, pesticides, etc. to farmers
• Training and handholding of farmers by institutions
• Contract Farming
Economics
• Sound economics in Bengal gram/chickpea production i.e. net accrual to producers could be about Rs. 2100 per quintal.
• Net profit on primary processing (cleaning and grading) and direct sale to processors could fetch about 4.5%-5% additional.
• Value accruals are subject to commodity price fluctuations by up to even 20%.
Social
• less labor-intensive crop
• Typically, small and marginal farmers in Rajasthan grow gram at a very small scale and with little post-harvest facility at hand.
Technology
• Farm level FCSC for storage and primary processing; i.e. cleaning and grading
• FCSC may also facilitate Secondary processing like mini dal mill/cattle feed unit
Environment
• Chickpea not only fixes nitrogen in soil, improves soil nitrate content and saves fertilizer costs and increases yield in subsequent crops.
• Chickpea is generally grown in rain fed conditions and can be grown with minimum irrigation as well.
Competition
• Despite large production, India still imports almost 15-20% of total annual requirement to meet domestic demand. Australia is the largest exporting nation to India followed by Russia, Tanzania and United States.
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Sale to another state IGST Central Sales Tax + Excise/Service Tax
There will only be one type of tax (central) in case of inter-state sales. The Center will then share the IGST revenue based on the destination of goods.
The impact on the Food Processing Businesses (with reference to Bengal gram):
Branded pulses and flours deemed to be a registered brand under any law in the country,
including the Copyright Act as on May 15, 2017, will attract Goods and Services Tax at the
rate of five per cent. Under same, a mark or name on which actionable claim is available
shall also be deemed to be a registered brand name.
Many processors and traders across country have raised concern that this creates an undue
advantage to unbranded products and distorts the level playing field concept. As unbranded
products do not attract levy of tax, it may force processors to create new line of unbranded
products. Since, good brands are generally a promise of good quality; the circumstance may
lead to low focus on quality in future.
On other hand, implementation of the GST will enable products to reach the consumer
faster due to removal of state-level taxes such as Octroi and entry taxes which will
significantly reduce the time and hassle of transporting goods across state borders.
GST will also favour the National Agricultural Market on merging all the different taxation
on agricultural goods will improve the marketing and virtual market growth.
Because GST is a consumption tax, it will be levied only when food products are sold by
the manufacturer and not when they are manufactured.
The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has also in its representation called for a zero
rate tax on products which have a rate of up to Rs. 10/- and Rs. 20/-. It also demanded that
all packaged material used as inputs by the food processing industry should have a zero-
percent rate.
Impact on Restaurants and Food Joints: Service tax liability with the credit of input VAT on goods consumed will get submerged into GST and irrespective of goods and services, the credit of input will be available for adjustment against the output liability. This will further optimize the working capital of these restaurants and consumers can expect the superior quality of goods and services. Please refer to list Appendix 5 for product wise GST rates of Food Products.
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Chapter 9: Proposed Interventions & Investments
9.1. Intervention areas for Value chain strengthening
In the envisaged post- intervention re-structured value chain, channel 1 will have to be developed as
alternate marketing channels where FCSCs play the role of an alternate private market yard and
undertake basic primary processing (grading, sorting and packing) of Bengal gram (Apart from
playing a role of facilitator to its members for institutional sales). In terms of other common
infrastructure, Mini Dal mills, Mini Besan plants or even mini Feed production plants may be pursed
to provide ’job work based’ services to members. In addition, an alternate marketing channel namely
that of supplying to large distributors or retailers like Tata Rallis, Walmart, Patanjali may be
developed.
The post intervention value chain map for Gram may be visualised as one with three production-
distribution or activity-marketing channels: raw gram, cleaned and graded gram and value added
products like dal, besan, etc. It is also envisaged that PCs of producers with FCSCs are evolved.
Such FCSCs undertakes storage, grading and sorting and packaging of produce activity. These
FCSCs may offer other related services in terms of input facilitation, custom hiring, facilitating B2B
connectivity etc. These could help in increasing net value accruals to farmers by about 5-15%.
Farmers’ income from gram cultivation may be enhanced.
In terms of intervention on the production front, productivity is low which is also partly because of
inadequate availability of high yielding varieties. There is, therefore, scope for intervention by the
way of introduction of new high yielding varieties in the region. Line departments under RACP and
NGO service-provider may support the initiatives in terms of producer motivation. There is also
need to train farmers on the best package of practices. This could also be undertaken by
stakeholders like large processors. There have been limited efforts in capacity building of farmer
leaders (entrepreneurs) and BODs at the field- level. In this regard, it may be appropriate for ABPF
to enable formation of FPCs to meet minimum scale requirements for upgrading as well as
developing alternate market channels. Also, bank linkages under KCC like schemes. may be
explored. The RACP and line departments need also work in coordination with NGO/service
providers and the KVK etc. on high moisture content in harvested gram, harvesting of immature
grains and inadequate post-harvest infrastructure facilities for storage and drying at farm level. The
storage facility may be also therefore established as part of FCSC with assistance under the project.
There is also need for awareness seminars and B2B meets amongst processors and producers on the
options for Special Licence and to source directly from producers (effectively aggregated into
FPOs/ FPCs). Scope for re-orientation of Agri- marketing policy with reduced mandi taxes on
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direct procurement; and related capacity building interventions for farmers is a necessity that may be facilitated by the ABPF.
Table 25: Proposed intervention plan with stakeholders matrix for value chain of Bengal Gram
S.no Stakeholder Roles &
Responsibilities
Pre-intervention
Constraints Post Intervention Action
Action By Timeline
1
Farmers
Land
Preparation
Cultivation of
crops
Harvesting of
crops
Sell the raw
produce
Limited
awareness of
farmers
Availability of
improved &
good quality
varieties of
gram among
producers
To promote high yielding and
processing friendly varieties as
well as Farm Information
Dissemination through District
level exhibition, Kisan Melas,
Printed materials, electronic
media.
Agriculture
University,
Agriculture
Research Institute
& Station, Seed
Companies,
Extension team of
RACP
Y1Q1-Y1Q2
(6 months after
registration of FPC)
Farmers are
trained with
production lead
extension
approach till
date
Market led extension approach is
necessary to increase farmers
income.
Extension team of
RACP and
Processors
(through ABPF)
Traditional
package of
practices
followed by
farmers
Increasing Research- Extension –
Farmers linkages by organizing
farmers–scientists interaction,
Field Days and Kisan Goshties,
Farmers’ Field Schools.
Extension team of
RACP, Scientists
from Agriculture
universities and
ABPF agribusiness
experts
Contractual
harvesting of
Setting up alternate channel to
sell directly from FPC to
Large Processor
and ABPF
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S.no Stakeholder Roles &
Responsibilities
Pre-intervention
Constraints Post Intervention Action
Action By Timeline
gram processor or large retail shops.
During
harvesting time,
prices collapse
and hence
storage/pack
house option
could help
reduce distress
sale.
Storage facility for farmers as
part of FCSC
RACP, KVK and
ABPF
Weather
dependent
drying of gram
seeds
Setting up of scientific and
artificial drying systems as part of
FCSC
ABPF, RACP
Due to
inadequate
facilities of
transportation
at the village
level, producers
are forced to
sell local
merchants or
traders directly
at low prices
Provision of Pick-up van
as part of FPC services
to the farmers.
ABPF, RACP
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S.no Stakeholder Roles &
Responsibilities
Pre-intervention
Constraints Post Intervention Action
Action By Timeline
Lack of
scientific
cleaning/gradin
g facilities
To make farmer aware
about quality parameters
of gram for processing
like value added
products; Cleaning &
Grading facilities as part
of FCSC/s .
Additionally, mini dal
mill plants could also be
established as part of
FCSC/s
RACP, SPs with
inputs from ABPF
2
Processors Process the raw
produce
Value addition
Packaging of
value added
product
Limited
adoption of
direct
procurement
and contract
farming
Setting up alternate
channel to sell directly
from PC to processor or
large retail shops.
Large Processor/
Buyer and ABPF,
RACP
Y1Q3-Y2Q2
(6 months after
registration of FPC)
Limited
processed
product
available in the
market which
limits the
marketing
potential of the
commodity
Facilitate the
entrepreneur
development to set up
small scale processed
products like cleaned or
graded gram and
dal/besan
ABPF, RACP
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S.no Stakeholder Roles &
Responsibilities
Pre-intervention
Constraints Post Intervention Action
Action By Timeline
Many existing
Pulses
processors and
budding
entrepreneurs
are not aware
of schemes of
the GoI
Including
CLCSS, cluster
Development
scheme or
“Sampada” for
technology
upgrading.
Awareness seminars for
processors
ABPF, RACP
3
NGO Extension
services to
farmers
Disseminate
RACP Schemes
to the farm level
Distribution of
seeds and farm
kits as per
various schemes
Hand holding
Lack of skilled
personnel
Poor field-farm
level
coordination
Outdated
extension
activities
Lower level of
interaction and
adoption of
Training of NGO field
staff on market led
extension services
Business planning
training
Monthly/Fortnightly
review meetings with
RACP
Feedback of farmers
from service area
Exposure visits of NGO
RACP
ABPF
KVKs
Y1Q1-Y2Q4
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S.no Stakeholder Roles &
Responsibilities
Pre-intervention
Constraints Post Intervention Action
Action By Timeline
support to the
farmers
regarding
RACP/govt.
schemes
staff to successful FPCs
4.
RACP establish the
feasibility of
sustainably
increasing
agricultural
productivity and
farmer income
integrate
agriculture
water
management
and agricultural
technology,
Establish farmer
organizations
(FPCs) and
market
innovations in
selected
locations
Lack of clarity
on the form of
FPO-
Cooperative or
FPC
Selections of
capable leaders
for the
proposed FPO
Low level of
awareness
among the
PMU staff and
farmers
regarding the
concept of
FPC
Poor or no
Market linkages
of the value
chain crops in
clusters
Lack of active
Create basic
understanding among
the RACP PMU staff
about concepts of FPC
Clear understanding on
fundamental differences
between FPC &
Cooperative
Create market linkages
by bringing more big
players and processors to
the cluster
Conduct training of the
potential farmer leaders
about FPC and its
functioning
Capacity building
training of the NGO
staff regarding the
extension services to be
provided to the farmers
ABPF
RACP
PMU Line
staff
NGO
Y1Q1-Y2Q4
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S.no Stakeholder Roles &
Responsibilities
Pre-intervention
Constraints Post Intervention Action
Action By Timeline
NGO staff
deployed in the
cluster
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In terms of intervention on the production front, productivity is low which is also partly because of
inadequate availability of high yielding varieties. There is, therefore, scope for intervention by the
way of introduction of new high yielding varieties in the region. Line departments under RACP and
NGO service-provider may support the initiatives in terms of dissemination of benefit of going in
for new high yielding varieties. Apt amendments in the contract farming Act could further facilitate
this initiative.
Traditional package of practices results in lower yield as against potential. There is therefore need to
train farmers on the best package of practices. This could also be undertaken by stakeholders like
large processors.
There have been limited efforts in capacity building of farmer leaders (entrepreneurs) and BODs at
the field- level. In this regard, it may be appropriate for ABPF to enable formation of FPOs to meet
minimum scale requirements for upgrading as well as developing alternate market channels. Also,
bank linkages under KCC scheme etc. may be explored. The RACP and line departments need also
work in coordination with the NGO/service providers and the KVK etc. on high dirt content in
harvested gram, harvesting of immature grains and inadequate post-harvest infrastructure facilities
for storage. The storage facility may be established as an FCSC with assistance under the project.
There is also need for awareness seminars and b2b meets amongst processors and producers on the
options for Special Licence and to source directly from producers (effectively aggregated into
FPOs/ FPCs). Scope for re-orientation of Agri- marketing policy with reduced mandi taxes on
direct procurement; and related capacity building interventions for farmers is a necessity that may be
facilitated by the ABPF.
The process of formation of Farmer Producer Company, its roles and responsibilities along with the details of the Farmers’ common facility centre is discussed in the section 9.2.2.
9.2 Proposed Post Intervention Value chain map of Bengal Gram 9.2.1. Post intervention Value Chain Map: Bengal Gram
In the envisaged post-intervention value chain of Bengal gram, FPCs/farmer associations could
bypass the APMC and commission agents and undertake the value chain activities like aggregation
and operate common facilities (FCSCs) undertaking cleaning and grading, drying, storage, packaging
and transportation. The cleaned and graded produce can be directly sold to processors leading to
higher realization by eliminating middlemen and delivery of value added raw material. Apropos, the
commodity may be supplied to SME as well as large processers like Tata, Patanjali, etc.
The post intervention value chain map for gram may be visualised as one with three production-
distribution or activity-marketing channels: cleaned and graded gram and value added products like
dal and besan. It is also envisaged that PCs of producers with FCSCs is evolved. Such FCSCs
undertakes storage, grading and sorting and packaging of produce activity. These FCSCs may offer
other related services in terms of input facilitation, custom hiring, facilitating B2B connectivity etc.
“The gross profit margin which would be directly transferred to the farmers by the virtue of
the FPC could be 5-15%. This obviously is dependent on the level of value addition (i.e.
cleaning and grading, dal milling/ besan milling) and pursuing of different services.17 Also,
as the FPC would supply the good quality seeds by tie up with the large input players, the
17
Further value addition (dal milling, besan milling, feed milling) would lead to additional income : additional (about) 2% net profit (in general) for each additional business. Also, activities like input facilitation, custom hiring of equipments will generate additional income.
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farmer would get HYV at their doorstep.” It would positively impact their cost of cultivation,
bringing it down significantly.
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Figure 10: Proposed Post intervention Value Chain map of Bengal gram
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In terms of intervention on the production front, productivity is low which is also partly because of
inadequate availability of high yielding varieties. There is, therefore, scope for intervention by the
way of introduction of new high yielding varieties in the region. Line departments under RACP and
NGO service-provider may support the initiatives in terms of dissemination of benefit of going in
for new high yielding varieties. Traditional package of practices results in lower yield as against
potential. There is therefore need to train farmers on the best package of practices. This could also
be undertaken by stakeholders like large processors.
There have been limited efforts in capacity building of farmer leaders (entrepreneurs) and BODs at
the field- level. In this regard, it may be appropriate for ABPF to enable formation of FPOs to meet
minimum scale requirements for upgrading as well as developing alternate market channels. Also,
bank linkages under KCC scheme etc. may be explored. The RACP and line departments need also
work in coordination with the NGO/service providers and the KVK etc. on high moisture content
in harvested gram, harvesting of immature grains and inadequate post-harvest infrastructure facilities
for storage and drying at farm level. The storage facility may be established as an FCSC with
assistance under the project.
There is also need for awareness seminars and B2B meets amongst processors and producers on the
options for Special Licence and to source directly from producers (effectively aggregated into
FPOs/ FPCs). Scope for re-orientation of Agri- marketing policy with reduced mandi taxes on
direct procurement; and related capacity building interventions for farmers is a necessity that may be
facilitated by the ABPF.
The losses which are mentioned in the Post intervention value chain map of gram occurs at various
stages of entire value chain starting right away from the harvest to storage, transportation,
processing and distribution for wholesaling and retailing. Following table describes the post-harvest
losses happening at various stages along with the reasons and interventions to reduce such losses:
Table 26: Post-harvest losses and interventions for Value chain of Bengal Gram
Stage of value chain Post-harvest
loss (in %) Reason Intervention
Harvesting by farmers 4-5 Lack of mechanised
harvesting
Random sowing
methods
Lack of appropriate
storage structure on
farm
Training on GAP and
advance PoP to
farmers
Setting up storage
structure in the CFC of
FPC
Purchase by Trader/
Processor
0.25-0.5 Poor storage structure
and inefficient
handling of harvested
produce
Loss during
transportation due to
loose packaging and
poor handling
Centralized
aggregation from
farmers at CFC of FPC
Packaging unit under
CFC
Processing 2-2.5 Use low end and
obsolete technologies
Mismatch of
capacities of various
machine lines
Set up primary
processing units for
FPC
Support and guide
agri-entrepreneurs for
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setting up modern and
high end machines
Distribution to
wholesalers/retailers
minimal Poor handling of
value added product
Inefficient packaging
of product
Improper storage
facility
Lower shelf life of
product
Support in storage
facility through govt.
warehouses
Efficient packaging to
prevent leakage and
improve shelf life
9.2.2. Interventions through FPC in the Bengal Gram value chain crop:
Introduction to FPC Model
Aggregation is the proposed solution of the constraints farmers are facing at present. It is proposed to form Farmers Producers’ Company by bringing farmers together in the form of voluntary groups of about 15 to 20 active farmers and federating 20 to 25 such groups into a Producer Company. These Producer Companies will be functioning on behalf of member farmers and will strive to undertake a range of activities which will result in added value accruals to farmers and value to farmers produce. To form a producer company, producer groups will be mobilized (in some cases, this initiative may have already been completed by NGO’s).
It is envisaged that an elected committee of members of Producers Groups will form a management committee and oversee the performance of an incentivized manager/CEO. The manager will be trained in technical issues of post-harvest management, marketing and in operating a transparent accounting system. The ABPF will support the operation of the Producer Company, and accelerate the cross learning of best practices.
FPC Development Approach
The FPC development approach may be viewed as depicted below: Figure 11: FPC Development Approach
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Following are the steps to be followed for formation of the FPC:
PRI of the MTG: The MTGs will be made aware on the FPC model through PRI and
individual farmers will be motivated to join the FPC as shareholder through respective
MTGs.
Initial discussions with MTG leaders: After PRI is done, initial discussion will be done
with the MTG leaders for further orientation on FPC concept.
Identification of MTG leaders: MTG leaders who show inclination to the concept will be
selected in the executive committee for FPC formation.
Resource mobilization and FPC planning: The executive committee will meet 2-3 times to
plan further activities of FPC viz. crops, strategy for business etc.
Election of BoD and Share collection: 10-12 BoD will be identified along with 2-3 expert
director’s one each from Agri, Horti, AH and WS dept. The BoD will decide on share value
and initiate collection of share through MTG leaders.
FPC registration: Following identification of FPC BoD, registration will be done. This
may take 1-2 months as DIN no of BoD has to be generated first. Care should be take that
all elected BoD should have PAN no so that there is no delay in paper formalities for
registrations.
FPC business: Following registration of FPC, ABPF will prepare business plan for the
FPC and facilitate market linkage for input and output.
Setup of processing/ financing – ABPF will further facilitate establishment of processing
unit setup along with feasibility studies and planning business linkage with market players.
Policy and Management
A FPC will function within the overall policy and regulatory framework as per the Producer
Company Act. The management of a FPC will vest with the elected Board from amongst the
members. The provision about constitution of managing committee will be made in the byelaws.
The management of FPCs will be by an elected Board of Directors. Therefore, the representatives
of farmers will actually oversee and manage the affairs of a FPC..
The selection criteria for membership of FPC may be viewed as follows:
1. A member will express his willingness to become a member of MTG.
2. A member will actively participate in all functions and activities of MTG
3. A member will contribute his equity to the FPC
4. A member will bring all or part of his produce to the FPC for sale.
5. A member will purchase all or part of his farm inputs through the FPC.
6. A member will produce and prepare his produce for marketing as per directions of
FPC.
7. A member will contribute his share to the Producer Association as upfront payment for
the business development plan of a FPC as needed.
8. A member will contribute his share to the Producer Company towards the reserves of
FPC as needed.
Illustrative list of components of a common facility of a Producer Company (Food Grain)
Godown for storage, drying platforms
2-3 MT per hour grain cleaning, grading, and packing machinery with shed
Additional need based Agricultural Equipment
Computer with internet connectivity for market information
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Display Board with Accessories
Auction Hall
Input Suppliers Shops
Toilets
Drinking water & Electricity
Note: Though the illustrative infrastructure proposed is shown in the above tables, the actual infrastructure to be developed will be need based and on participative consultation process.
Typically, start-up may be involved in secondary and tertiary processing activities while FPO’s may be involved in post-harvest and primary processing activity. In many cases, start-up may emerge firm within FPO members.
The evaluation of success should be evaluated on the parameters as under:
I. PCs operating without financial support by the end of 36 months.
II. The PC operates with a reserve fund to cover short term cash flow deficit and with
potential for reinvestment in various activities
III. The PC has an effective governing structure.
IV. The PC has a transparent accounting system.
V. The PC can function as a working example for other farmer organizations to observe and
learn from.
VI. Contribution towards increasing farmers’/members incomes.
FPC Revenue model
The revenue model for typical FPCs may be viewed in terms of revenue from:
1. Input facilitation services (this could imply revenue by virtue of service such as
dealership/distributorship for seeds, pesticides or fertilizers). About 50% of the dealer’s
discount may be perhaps is retained by FPC and 50 % be passed on to FPC farmer member
as to reduce their input costs.
2. Processing and storage services through FCSCs to be offered to FPC members and other
providers in the region and user/service change collected (typically) at perhaps the rate of 1
to 3 percent of value of commodity.
3. Marketing service may be offered in terms of facilitating charges typically @ between 1-2
percent of sales value.
4. MSP facilitation service in terms of facilitating procurement and supply to NAFED/SFAC
etc. after, a 1 percent service charges is levied for such activity by FPCs.
5. NCDEX related farmers trading may be facilitated by FPCs as a risk hedging option and
user charges collected at a negotiated rate with members.
6. Custom hiring services may be provided either through tying up with service providers or
including equipment as part of FCSC.
Working capital service would be in terms of FPC providing and marketing of produce from
member farmers. Here, the FPC may retain the price spread as service charge.
9.3. Conclusion
This value chain analysis of Bengal gram clearly brings out that unlike any other enterprise,
agriculture is critically dependent on external factors like the bounties of nature for its success; be it
unseasonal rain, hailstorm, delayed monsoon, less rain, no rain, or excess rain, all of which makes
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agriculture a high risk and vulnerable proposition. This perpetual environment of high risk and
vulnerability has significantly lowered farmers’ confidence and suppressed their entrepreneurial
instincts as was amply reflected in the discussions held over cluster level meetings.
Till date, farmers have benefitted mainly from government’s input driven schemes while market
access interventions such as mandis have created more barriers (middlemen) than benefits and
resulted into market inefficiencies that eventually exploited farmers. Despite being at the receiving
end of market barriers and inefficiencies for generations, individually, small farmers may perhaps
never muster enough strength to overcome market challenges. In such a scenario, the intervention
of establishing Farmer Producer Companies in the clusters has potential to unleash their suppressed
energies and to promote rural entrepreneurship. It would encourage farmers to collectively delve
into market operations to compete and design specific market solutions such as aggregation and
sales of produce, operate custom hiring and composite input sales centres.
For the farmer, increase in input costs, without corresponding increase in output prices, has
rendered agriculture unviable. And, in the absence of any other locally available alternate livelihood
options farmers cannot even move away from agriculture. Thus, RACP along with the market
driven intervention of ABPF also aims towards integration of farmers and help them join hands for
a collective cause, assist them to move up the agriculture value chains as to actively participate in
market functions, an unexplored but lucrative territory for them so far. This would spur vertical
business integration and diversify their market portfolios to reduce their vulnerabilities.
Value chain actors or stakeholders decide sale prices of their produce/products and compete
effectively in the markets whereas farmers often depend on Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by
government agencies to sell grains. Trader’s cartelisation ensures that MSP becomes the Maximum
Gain Price (MGP) fetched by farmers, further squeezing their revenues. The end result has been a
declining contribution of agriculture to the national economy. It is also true that given farmers’
inability to deal effectively with market forces, in the absence of MSP, farmers would have been
possibly in an much worse off situation.
Hence, suggested interventions in context of Bengal gram could lead to remarkable change in their
value realization at various stages. In nutshell, inputs facilitation by FPC will enable farmer members
to purchase inputs directly from company, also ensuring discounts and better rates of inputs leading
to lowering of cost of production/cultivation. In this context, FPC will also be able to monitor the
right kind and quality of inputs (for example, recommended high yielding and processing friendly
seed varieties, etc). Similarly, services like custom hiring of farm implements could be availed by
FCSC, which will ensure easy availability of equipments and machinery at lower than market rates.
In terms of primary processing, cleaning and grading facility at FCSC will enable member farmers
and others in cluster to clean and grade their gram produce and sell directly to large processors and
also participate in government procurement of gram through NAFED, etc. It will enable farmers
and FPC to eliminate the long chain of middlemen and in turn get the higher realization for their
value added produce. The FCSC may also house mini dal milling and mini Besan processing unit
which will further enable transacting directly with processors or even large retailers. In this context,
sales facilitation services by FCSC will enable direct linkage with large buyer ensuring better
remuneration and large orders. Storage facilities at FCSC will ensure that farmers need not distress
sell their produce and hold same for a longer period. Importantly, based on mix of services being
offered by FPC (i.e. input facilitation, primary/secondary processing, custom hiring of farm
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implements, sales facilitation, etc), the value realization to FCSC and farmers could be in the range
of 5-15%.
The major role of ABPF- GT would in this circumstance also be to carry out capacity building
initiatives of the potential leaders (BoDs) of the FPC, NGO staff and PMU staff line, conducting
value chain studies of the crops (market led), plan interventions to improve the returns to the
farmers in the 17 project clusters, develop the business plan for registered producer companies in
clusters, support and assist agri start-ups in the region, and thus develop overall market linkages.
The formation of FPC supported by RACP ABPF, local NGOs and facilitation centres like KVKs,
provides the much needed opportunity to farmers to favourably and positively change their value
realization in near future.
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References
1. Top 10 gram producing states in India, December 17,2016 (
http://www.ethicalpost.in/top-10-gram-producing-states-in-india/) (retrieved on April
13,2017)
2. Pattern of dry matter accumulation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as influenced by organic
nutrient management practices in vertisol S.V. PATIL1 , S.I. HALIKATTI2 , S.B.
GURUMURTHY3 AND M.S. LOKESH (http://www.aicrpchickpea.res.in/preface.htm
3. Commodity control
)(http://www.commoditiescontrol.com/eagritrader/common/newsdetail.php?type=SPR&i
temid=8204&cid1=,2,&varietyid=,33)
4. National Bulk Handling Corporathttp://www.nbhcindia.com/docs/research-
reports/Seasonal%20Commodity%20Insight%20-%20Chana.pdf
5. Chickpea farming Guide (http://www.agrifarming.in/chickpea-farming/) (retrieved on
April 8,2017)
6. Chickpea farming Guide (http://www.agrifarming.in/chickpea-farming/) (retrieved on
April 8,2017)
7. Acknowledging inputs from RACP officials, related producers, processors, industry associations, NGOs, ATMA, Dept of Agriculture and Dr. K.M. Sharma, Agronomist, KVK Kota.
Value Chain Report- Bengal Gram 81
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Annexure 1: Stakeholders consulted over the study
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Annexure 2: List of Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) Warehouses in Rajasthan
Table 27: List of CWC warehouses in Rajasthan
Warehouse Project Description Manager Phone Capacity
BHIWADI C/o Jaquar & Company Pvt. Ltd., SP-496, RIICO Inld Area, Bhiwadi – 301019
A. C. Yadav 01493 297825 4356
ALWAR A-315, NSC, Oppt. ED, Paryware Pvt. Ltd. Co. Alwar R. N. Meena 0144 23721 3574
BARAN Spl. No. 01 ,RIICO Indl Area, Baran Road, Baran V. K. Jaiswal 9460079493 5000
BHARATPUR Plot No. G-162 to 165 & F-166 to 171, Brij Ind. Area, Behind Nafed Plant, Phase-II, Hathni Road, Bharatpur
Devendra Prakash 05644-228654 9674
BIKANER Behind Sabzi Mandi, Pugal Road, Unit-I, Bikaner Prit Pal 0151 2212399 25400
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Warehouse Project Description Manager Phone Capacity
BIKANER-II Opposite Govt. Engineering College, Karni Indutrial Area, Ph.II Bikaner-334004
R. D. Punia 0151 211003 5000
SRIGANGANGR-I Near Power House Sriganganaga-335001 S.S. Brar 0154 2440107 25200
SRIGANGANGR-II Udyog Vihar Plot No. E-194 to202 Sriganganaga-335001 N.K. Chabra 0154 2494403 10000
KESARISINGHPUR C/o ARDC Godown,Mizewali Road,Kesrisinghpur Distt.Srigangar
Dhanwat Singh 01501-233710 10176
HANUMANGARH TOWN C/o FCI, Opp. Railway Station, Hanumangarh Town K. D. Dhiman, FCI 13262
HANUMANGARH-I Sector - 8, New Mandi, Hanumangarh Junction, Hanumangarh
J. R. Sharma 01552 260602 21200
HANUMANGARH-II RICCO Phase-II , Opposite RICCO, Water Works, Hanumangarh
Bhart Bhushan 01552 211794 15000
TIBBI 10, GGR, Hanumangarh Road, Tibbi, Distt. Hanumangarh Anupam Kumar 01539 224111 1000
SITAPURA-I Plot No.SPL-1296,EPIP Sitapura, Ind. Area, Jaipur-302002 S.K. Sharma 0141 2771710 , 2770227 14870
SITAPURA-II Plot No.SP-1,RIICO Industrial Area,Sitapura, Jaipur Y.K. Dubey 0141 2770223 11729
KOTPUTLI Near Cement Factory,Vill.-Ramsinghpura Gopalpura Road,Kotputll, Distt. Jaipur.
Desh Raj 01421 215112 97 5000
JHUNJHUNU Plot No. SP-287 RICCO Industrial Area, Raghunath Singh 01592 250138 5000
SURAJGARH Bhuana Road, Surajgarh-333029 Rampal Singh 01596 2238349 2868
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Warehouse Project Description Manager Phone Capacity
KOTA I Ind. Area DCM Road, Nr New Grain Market Kota-324007 S N Meena 0744 2363638 36830
KOTA II lndraprasth md. Area, Road,No. 1, Near Daknia Railway Station Kota-324005
S.S.Meena 0744 2438019 49300
KOTA III Plot No. SP-1, Kuber Ind. Area, Ranpur, Kota III S N Panchal 25000
RAMGANJ MANDI Khairabad Road, Ramganj Mandil Distt.-Kota OP Mudgil 07459 22264 9893
NAGAUR Nr. All India Radio Basni Road, Nagaur- 341001 R.S. Mathur 01582 241002 7401
PARABATSAR C/o ARDC Godown, Near Old Rly. Station.Parbatsar, Distt. Nagaur
Ram Behari 9460462881 28093
SIKAR Jagmalpura, Via-Katrathal, Post-Bhadwasi ,Sikar-33200 1 Nand Lal Verma 01572 272013 5000
SRIMADHOPUR Hanspur Road, Srimadhopur-332715 Kishore Prasad 01575 251699 20600
DEOLI C/o Juptier Metal Pvt. Ltd., NH—12, Deoli Distt : Tonk 01434 239249
Kailash Narayan 01434-239249 5000
FATEHNAGAR MOR Mills Product, Plot No. H-49 Road No.2, RICCO Indl Area, Fatehnagar-313205
V. P. Singh 02955-220411 3106
Central Warehouse Opposite Krishna Dharma Kanta, Udaipur By Pass. Beawar, Distt. Ajmer
Raj Raj Kumar Sharma 14849
Central Warehouse Katori Wala Tibara, Near Water Works, Tizara Road, Alwar Rajendra Prasad 1442731026 8133
Central Warehouse Village MOR, Kushalgarh Distt.Banswara. D.C. singh 2965274517 3400
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Warehouse Project Description Manager Phone Capacity
Central Warehouse Plot No.G-162 to 165,F-166 to 171, Behind NAFED Plant, Phase-II, Brij Industrial Area, Hahteni Road, Bharatpur-321301
N. S. Meena 5644228654 9674
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Annexure 3: List of State Warehousing Corporation (SWC) Warehouses in Rajasthan
Table 28: List of SWC warehouses in Rajasthan
SWC Warehouses Project Description Capacity
Bhiwadi C/o Jaquar & Company Pvt. Ltd., SP-496, RIICO Inld Area, Bhiwadi - 301019 4356
Alwar A-315, NSC, Oppt. ED, Paryware Pvt. Ltd. Co. Alwar 3574
Baran Spl. No. 01 ,RIICO Indl Area, Baran Road, Baran 5000
Bharatpur Plot No. G-162 to 165 & F-166 to 171, Brij Ind. Area, Behind Nafed Plant, Phase-II, Hathni
Road, Bharatpur 9674
Bikaner Behind Sabzi Mandi, Pugal Road, Unit-I, Bikaner 25400
Bikaner-Ii Opposite Govt. Engineering College, Karni Indutrial Area, Ph.II Bikaner-334004 5000
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SWC Warehouses Project Description Capacity
Srigangangr-I Near Power House Sriganganaga-335001 25200
Srigangangr-Ii Udyog Vihar Plot No. E-194 to202 Sriganganaga-335001 10000
Kesarisinghpur C/o ARDC Godown,Mizewali Road,Kesrisinghpur Distt.Srigangar 10176
Hanumangarh Town C/o FCI, Opp. Railway Station, Hanumangarh Town 13262
Hanumangarh-I Sector - 8, New Mandi, Hanumangarh Junction, Hanumangarh 21200
Hanumangarh-Ii RICCO Phase-II , Opposite RICCO, Water Works, Hanumangarh 15000
Tibbi 10, GGR, Hanumangarh Road, Tibbi, Distt. Hanumangarh 1000
Sitapura-I Plot No.SPL-1296,EPIP Sitapura, Ind. Area, Jaipur-302002 14870
Sitapura-Ii Plot No.SP-1,RIICO Industrial Area,Sitapura, Jaipur 11729
Kotputli Near Cement Factory, Vill.-Ramsinghpura Gopalpura Road,Kotputll, Distt. Jaipur. 5000
Jhunjhunu Plot No. SP-287 RICCO Industrial Area, 5000
Surajgarh Bhuana Road, Surajgarh-333029 2868
Kota I Ind. Area DCM Road, Nr New Grain Market Kota-324007 36830
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SWC Warehouses Project Description Capacity
Kota Ii lndraprasth md. Area, Road,No. 1, Near Daknia Railway Station Kota-324005 49300
Kota Iii Plot No. SP-1, Kuber Ind. Area, Ranpur, Kota III 25000
Ramganj Mandi Khairabad Road, Ramganj Mandil Distt.-Kota 9893
Nagaur Nr. All India Radio Basni Road, Nagaur- 341001 7401
Parabatsar C/o ARDC Godown, Near Old Rly. Station.Parbatsar, Distt. Nagaur 28093
Sikar Jagmalpura, Via-Katrathal, Post-Bhadwasi ,Sikar-33200 1 5000
Srimadhopur Hanspur Road, Srimadhopur-332715 20600
Deoli C/o Juptier Metal Pvt. Ltd., NH—12, Deoli Distt : Tonk 01434 239249 5000
Udaipur-I 5000
Fatehnagar MOR Mills Product, Plot No. H-49 Road No.2, RICCO Indl Area, Fatehnagar-313205 3106
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Annexure 4: Product wise GST rates of Food Products
GST-28%
1. Molasses
2. Chewing gum/bubble gum and white chocolate
3. Cocoa butter, fat and oil
4. Cocoa powder
5. Cocoa chocolates
6. Malt extract (other than for infant use and mixes and doughs of bakers)
7. Waffles and wafers coated with or containing chocolate
8. Extract, essences and concentrates of coffee
9. Mustard flour and sauces thereof
10. Sugar, lactose and glucose syrups
11. Food flavouring material
12. Churan for pan
13. Custard powder
14. Aerated waters containing added sugar or other sweeting matter
GST-18%
1. Condensed milk
2. Malt, whether or not roasted
3. Refined sugar, sugar cubes
4. Sugar confectionery
5. All preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk for infant use and sold retail
6. Pasta, spaghetti, macaroni, noodles
7. Corn flakes and other cereal flakes
8. Waffles and wafers (other than chocolate coating)
9. Pastries and cakes
10. Extracts, essences and concentrates of tea or mate
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11. Soups and broths
12. Ice cream and other edible ice
13. Instant food mixes, soft drink concentrates, sharbat, betel, supari, packaged food
14. Water, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters not sweetened
15. Ethyl alcohol and other spirits
16. Vinegar and substitutes
17. Curry paste, mayonnaise and salad dressing; mixed condiments and mixed
GST – 12 %
1. All meat in unit containers put up in frozen, salted, dried, smoked state
2. All meat and marine products, prepared or preserved.
3. Butter, ghee, butter oil, cheese
4. All goods under Chapter 20 (preparations of vegetables, fruits, nuts or other parts of plants, including pickle, murabba, chutney, jam, jelly)
5. Ketch-up & sauces, Mustard sauces
6. Dry fruits 2
7. Starches
8. Animal fats and oils
9. Fruit and vegetable juices
10. Roasted chicory and coffee substitutes
11. Yeasts and prepared baking powders
12. Namkeens, bhujiya, mixture, chabena
13. Bari made of pulses including mungodi
14. Soya milk drinks
15. Fruit pulp or fruit juice based drinks
16. Tender coconut water (in unit container with brand name)
17. Beverages containing milk
GST – 5 %
1. All fish variants (except seeds of fish, prawn& shrimp) processed, cured, frozen state
2. Ultra-high temperature milk
3. Milk and cream including skimmed milk powder but excluding condensed milk
4. Yoghurt and other fermented milk and cream
5. Chena or paneer in unit container and branded
6. Egg yolk, fresh or dried
7. Natural honey in branded unit container
8. Vegetables frozen or preserved (but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption)
9. Edible fruits and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons, in frozen or preserved state
10. Coffee, tea, pepper, vanilla, cloves, cardamoms
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11. Seeds of anise, coriander, cumin
12. Ginger (other than fresh ginger), saffron, turmeric, other spices
13. Cereal groats, meal and pellets in branded unit container
14. Cereal grains worked upon (hulled, rolled, flaked)
15. Meal, powder, flakes, granules and pellets of potatoes
16. Meal and powder of the dried leguminous vegetables (pulses, sago, tamarind)
17. Wheat gluten
18. Soya beans
19. Ground nuts
20. Copra
21. Linseed, rape seeds, sunflower seeds, other oilseeds like mustard, poppy,
22. Flour and meals of oilseeds
23. Sugar beet and sugar cane (frozen and dried)
24. Vegetable fats and oils (groundnut, olive, palm, sunflower oil etc)
25. Beet sugar, cane sugar, khandsari sugar
26. Cocoa beans, shells and paste
27. Mixes and doughs for preparation of bread, pastry and other baker’s wares
28. Pizza bread
29. Seviyan
30. Rusks, toasted bread
31. Sweetmeats
32. Flours, meals, and pellets of meat, fish meant for animal consumption
33. Cashew nuts and cashew nut in shell
34. Raisin 3
35. Ice and snow
GST – Nil %
1. Meat (Other than in frozen state and put up in container)
2. Bones and horn cores, bone grist, bone meal etc., hoof meal, horn meal, etc
3. Fish, prawn and shrimp seeds
4. All fish, fresh or chilled (but not processed, cured and frozen)
5. Fresh milk, pasteurized milk but not concentrated, sweetened
6. Eggs (in shell)
7. Curd, lassi, buttermilk
8. Chena or paneer (except in unit container with brand name)
9. Natural honey (no container-no brand)
10. Fresh fruits and vegetables, roots and tubers (except in frozen state or preserved)
11. Dried fruits
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12. Leguminous vegetables, shelled or unshelled
13. Dried leguminous vegetables, shelled, whether or not skinned or split (pulses)
14. Coffee beans, unprocessed tea leaves, fresh spices
15. All cereals (no container-no brand)
16. Cereal grains hulled
17. Flour
18. Atta, maida, besan (no container-no brand)
19. Wheat or meslin flour
20. Cereal flour, groats and meals (no container-no brand)
21. Flour of potato, dried leguminous vegetables (no container-no brand)
22. Oilseeds of seed quality
23. Cane jiggery (gur)
24. Palmyra jaggery
25. Puffed, flattened and parched rice
26. Pappad (except when served for consumption)
27. Bread (branded or otherwise) (except when served for consumption and pizza bread)
28. Prasadam
29. Water (other than aerated, sealed etc)
30. Non-alcoholic toddy
31. Tender coconut powder
32. Acquatic, poultry and cattle feed
33. Salt, all types
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Annexure 5: PIESTEC Analysis of Bengal Gram
1. Political circumstance
Due to land ceiling norms, typically farmers in Rajasthan have barely 2-3 acres of holdings each. The
small and marginal farmers can hardly be expected to invest in better farming technologies, nor
aggregate adequate volumes of commodities as to develop alternate marketing channels away from
typical APMC or multiple-trader led channel in vogue. There is, therefore, need for aggregation of
such farmers into FPOs / FPCs. Typically, such FPOs / FPCs may have a combined holding of
1000-1500 acres. Such institutional change can occur only with the support of political intervention
through legislation.
2. Institutional context
The globally preferred high income yielding form of gram cleaned & graded seeds, dal and besan.
Given the fluctuations in prices as well as need for technology transfer for high yielding varieties,
there is apparently need for more technical knowledge sharing and its dissemination to the farmers.
There is requirement of aggregating larger and economically viable volumes at the farmers’ end in
order to fulfil the requirements of the large buyers cum processors directly. In that case, it is of
utmost importance to bring farmers’ groups under the umbrella of Farmer Producer Company
which would be able to aggregate large volumes, perform primary processing and then have the
stronger negotiation power when compared to the single farmer.
The increase in overall production of gram in India can be achieved mainly by advancement of
production technology through the National Agriculture Research System and educating the farmers
through various training programmes. Introduction of high yielding varieties, new production
techniques, integrated nutrient management and sowing of crops as per soil/land suitability could be
the major production factor to enhance the productivity of coriander.
Globally both Desi and Kabuli varieties are highly sought by buyers/processors. Given the
fluctuations in prices as well as need for technology transfer for high yielding varieties, there is
apparently need for contact farming agreements with processors.
Processors favourably supporting contract farming seek support in selecting high yielding varieties
that ensure profuse podding, high productivity, early maturity, resistance to Fusarium wilt, and
market-preferred seed traits (eg, medium seed size in desi type and large seed size in kabuli type).
However, there are some limitations in the Contract Farming Act and mechanism which need to be
corrected to encourage and up-scale contract farming practices.
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3. Economics
There is sound economics in Bengal gram/chickpea production with contract farming agreements,
clubbing with primary value addition. In general, contract buyers look for high yielding processing
friendly varieties. Even, in terms of direct procurement, there is inherent need for cleaned and
graded and low moisture seeds by processors. Small seeds, damaged seeds, foreign material, and off
color in the seed lot often lead to low price realization. In nutshell, assuming the market price
realized by farmer is about Rs. 5000 per quintal, selling cleaned, graded and low moisture gram
directly to large processors could easily fetch 4-4.5% additional value; i.e. about Rs. 5225 (Rs. 5305
including cess) per quintal (for cleaned grains and about Rs. 1650-1700 for immature grains). Even
after deducting cleaning costs and other incidental expenses, the minimum additional value to
producers is at least in range of Rs. 80 to Rs. 100 quintal. Assuming the cost of cultivation to be
around Rs. 10,140 per acre and yield of 3.5 quintals per acre, the total additional realization in the
direct procurement model could be around Rs. 780-790 more (about 11% higher) over traditional
sale to local trader.
4. Social
Typically, small and marginal farmers in Rajasthan grow gram at a very small scale and with little
post-harvest facility at hand. Pulses like chickpea are less labor-intensive crops; and cheap
comparatively to other competitive winter crops like wheat, etc. On an average, human and bullock
(or machine) labor constituted the maximum share of the total operational expenses for chickpea.
Average share of seed in the total operational expenses were about 10-11% in chickpea. The rest of
the factor share was spent on compost fertilizers and technology inputs and to control insects and
diseases. Chickpea require less consumption fertilizers compared to cereal crops like wheat etc.
Apparently, only 4% of the total cost of production of chickpea production is spent on fertilizers
and compost fertilizers. Chickpea not only fixes nitrogen in soil, improves soil nitrate content and
saves fertilizer costs and increases yield in subsequent crops. Chickpea is generally grown in rain fed
conditions and can be grown with minimum irrigation as well. Chickpea is also good source of fibre,
protein, energy and has low glycemic index which is good for diabetes patients and helps reduce
LDL cholesterol. Thus, there is scope for this crop which is less water intensive to be propagated.
5. Technology
Ideally, in FCSC, Gram Cleaning and Grading plant will be equipped with the machine needed for
successful cleaning, grading operations of the crops having capacity of about 1 to 2 tons/ hour. The
processing facility may consist of various equipments namely pre-cleaner with screen set, gravity
separator, de-stoner, vacuum blower/aspiration system, elevators and support accessories. The plant
operations will require some support equipments like moisture meter/s, handheld stitching
machine/s and weighing machine/s. Similarly, grain storage is needed to store the grains during the
period from receiving the grains from the farmers at the plant till it is supplied to the dealer/farmer
for sale; the plant site would have the shed built for proper storage, the details of which are attached
with report.
The Gram Cleaning and Grading machine is a machine used for cleaning and grading of grains. The
un-cleaned grains when fed to the machine primarily pass through screens, then de-stoner, gravity
separator, to give an output of clean graded grains which would be further sent for packaging.
Further, a mini dal mill of capacity up to 1 ton per day could be installed which will have
equipments like Roll (milling), drier (electric-optional), polisher (optional), storage tanks, aspiration
system, elevators and support accessories. In this context integrated mini dal mills developed by
PKV and similar institutes could also be explored.
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A mini besan plant (primarily grinder) or mini feed processing unit (powder/pellet form) could also
be explored.
Some key suppliers like Padsons, Agrosaw, GD Agro, etc could be consulted for technology supply.
6. Environment
The scope for promoting gram as an alternative crop to some of the other Rabi crops is an
environmental friendly option. Chickpea not only fixes nitrogen in soil, improves soil nitrate content
and saves fertilizer costs and increases yield in subsequent crops. Chickpea is generally grown in rain
fed conditions and can be grown with minimum irrigation as well.
7. Competition
Gram is generally processed and sold as whole seed, or value into ‘dall’ and gram flour which is also
further value added and used in several snack industries as ingredient. The by-products processed
dall are also gaining popularity worldwide in terms of low fat-high protein biscuits/crackers,
nutrition bars, pasta, etc.
The large pulses processing companies like ETG, Mother Dairy, Tata Chemicals, etc are major
buyers of gram. Gram’s advantage is that it is a low input crop and can be grown in marginal lands
and gram can be grown to process value added products like dal, flour, snacks, animal feed, etc.
India is the largest producer of Chickpea followed by Australia, Pakistan, Turkey and Canada. Some
of the countries that India exports chickpea to are the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Sri Lanka
and Malaysia. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the government has limited export of kabuli
chana. Even internationally, since Indian households are major consumers of this pulse, the export
demand for chickpea increases leading up to Islamic and Hindu festivals as does the domestic
demand. Despite large production, India still imports almost 15-20% of total annual requirement to
meet domestic demand. Australia is the largest exporting nation to India followed by Russia,
Tanzania and United States. Australia begins new planting in the month of May and harvests by
September and new crop offers begin for September-October shipments. As a result bulk imports
from Australia hit India during the period of October-January, while during the rest of the year
small quantities continue to arrive from the other nations.
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